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Test Code APGAL Galactose-Alpha-1,3-Galactose (Alpha-Gal) Mammalian Meat Allergy Profile, Serum

Reporting Name

Alpha-Gal Panel, S

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

As an aid in diagnosis of an IgE mediated hypersensitivity allergy to non-primate mammalian red meat, such as beef, pork, venison, and meat-derived products, such as gelatin, via allergen profile testing

 

This test is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists.

 

This test is not useful for patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)


Ordering Guidance


For a listing of allergens available for testing, see Allergens - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies.



Specimen Required


Collection Container/Tube:

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.


Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK

Reference Values

Class

IgE kU/L

Interpretation

0

<0.10

Negative

0/1

0.10-0.34

Borderline/equivocal

1

0.35-0.69

Equivocal

2

0.70-3.49

Positive

3

3.50-17.4

Positive

4

17.5-49.9

Strongly positive

5

50.0-99.9

Strongly positive

6

≥100

Strongly positive

 

Concentrations of 0.70 Ku/L or more (class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high

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.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

86003 x 4

86008

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
APGAL Alpha-Gal Panel, S In Process

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
BEEF Beef, IgE 6039-2
LAMB Lamb, IgE 6155-6
MILK Milk, IgE 6174-7
PORK Pork, IgE 6219-0
ALGAL Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE 73837-7

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Allergen Test Request (T236)

-Microbiology Test Request (T244)

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
ALGAL Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE Yes Yes
BEEF Beef, IgE Yes Yes
PORK Pork, IgE Yes Yes
LAMB Lamb, IgE Yes Yes
MILK Milk, IgE Yes Yes

Testing Algorithm

Other meat allergen IgE antibody tests may be considered in addition to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose IgE antibody testing in cases of suspected red meat allergy.