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Test Code WEED4 Weed Panel # 4, Serum

Reporting Name

Weed Panel # 4

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to giant ragweed, short ragweed, and Western ragweed

 

Defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms

 

Identifying allergens:

-Responsible for allergic response 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

 

Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)


Ordering Guidance


This test uses a pooled allergen reagent; therefore, the multi-allergen Immunocap (panel cap) is reported with a single qualitative class result and concentration. This is the appropriate first-tier test for allergic disease.

 

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: 0.5 mL for every 5 allergens requested

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


Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

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 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

Reference values apply to all ages.

Interpretation

Positive results indicate the possibility of allergic disease induced by one or more allergens present in the multi-allergen cap.

 

Negative results may rule out allergy, except in rare cases of allergic disease induced by exposure to a single allergen.

 

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

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

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
WEED4 Weed Panel # 4 73710-6

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
WEED4 Weed Panel # 4 73710-6

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen.

Testing Algorithm

Includes testing for giant ragweed, short ragweed, and Western ragweed allergen.