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26176 Allergen, Alpha-Lactalbumin, IgE (ALFA)

Allergen, Alpha-Lactalbumin, IgE (ALFA)
Test Code: ALALBSO
Synonyms/Keywords

​Lactalbumin, Alpha; Milk component

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to alpha-lactalbumin

Defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms

Identifying allergens:

-Responsible for allergic disease and/or anaphylactic episode

-To confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy

-To investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens

Specimen Requirements
Fasting RequiredSpecimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No​Serum​Red Top Tube (RTT)​Serum Separator Tube (SST)​0.5 mL for every 5 allergens requested​0.3 mL
Collection Processing Instructions

​For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL

For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Serum ​​Refrigerated (preferred)​14 days
​Frozen​90 days
Interference

Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists, or in patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies in serum, and results must be interpreted in the clinical context.

False-positive results for IgE antibodies may occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE (>2,500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding to allergen solid phases.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport AvailableMethodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​Monday through Friday​1 to 3 days​Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)
Reference Lab
Test Information

Clinical manifestations of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) diseases are caused by the release of proinflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) from immunoglobulin E (IgE)-sensitized effector cells (mast cells and basophils) when cell-bound IgE antibodies interact with allergen.

In vitro serum testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the immune response to allergens that may be associated with allergic disease.

The allergens chosen for testing often depend upon the age of the patient, history of allergen exposure, season of the year, and clinical manifestations. In individuals predisposed to develop allergic disease, the sequence of sensitization and clinical manifestations proceed as follows: eczema and respiratory disease (rhinitis and bronchospasm) in infants and children less than 5 years due to food sensitivity (milk, egg, soy, and wheat proteins) followed by respiratory disease (rhinitis and asthma) in older children and adults due to sensitivity to inhalant allergens (dust mite, mold, and pollen inhalants).

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
ClassIgE kU/LInterpretation
0<0.35Negative
10.35-0.69Equivocal
20.70-3.49Positive
33.50-17.4Positive
417.5-49.9Strongly positive
550.0-99.9Strongly positive
6> or =100Strongly positive

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

Detection of IgE antibodies in serum (Class 1 or greater) indicates an increased likelihood of allergic disease as opposed to other etiologies and defines the allergens that may be responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms.

The level of IgE antibodies in serum varies directly with the concentration of IgE antibodies expressed as a class score or kU/L.

Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
​86008​1
Synonyms/Keywords

​Lactalbumin, Alpha; Milk component

Ordering Applications
Ordering ApplicationDescription
​COM​Allergen, A-Lactoalbumin, IgE (ALFA)
​Cerner​Allergen, A-Lactoalbumin (ALFA)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting RequiredSpecimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No​Serum​Red Top Tube (RTT)​Serum Separator Tube (SST)​0.5 mL for every 5 allergens requested​0.3 mL
Collection Processing

​For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL

For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Serum ​​Refrigerated (preferred)​14 days
​Frozen​90 days
Interference

Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists, or in patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies in serum, and results must be interpreted in the clinical context.

False-positive results for IgE antibodies may occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE (>2,500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding to allergen solid phases.

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to alpha-lactalbumin

Defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms

Identifying allergens:

-Responsible for allergic disease and/or anaphylactic episode

-To confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy

-To investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
ClassIgE kU/LInterpretation
0<0.35Negative
10.35-0.69Equivocal
20.70-3.49Positive
33.50-17.4Positive
417.5-49.9Strongly positive
550.0-99.9Strongly positive
6> or =100Strongly positive

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

Detection of IgE antibodies in serum (Class 1 or greater) indicates an increased likelihood of allergic disease as opposed to other etiologies and defines the allergens that may be responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms.

The level of IgE antibodies in serum varies directly with the concentration of IgE antibodies expressed as a class score or kU/L.

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport AvailableMethodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​Monday through Friday​1 to 3 days​Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
​86008​1
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.