Note: This test must not be used in isolation to determine whether the patient has outgrown a food allergy. More ...

LifeLabs offers serum testing for allergies using the Pharmacia UniCAP® system. We are pleased to offer this service and believe that appropriate usage will assist you in managing your patients. This test detects Specific Allergen IgE (SAIGE) antibodies in serum samples.
 
Allergic diseases represent the clinical manifestations of adverse immune responses following repeated contact with usually harmless substances such as pollens and animal danders. This group of disorders is increasing in frequency, as are the numbers of atopic individuals who are prone to developing allergies because of a genetic state of hyperresponsiveness1.

Prevention of allergic illness focuses on blocking sensitization and development of an IgE mediated response, inhibiting the response and controlling the factors that cause symptoms. In all areas, identification of the allergens that induce allergic responses in individual patients is critical in overall management.

A careful clinical history followed by judicious use of skin testing (prick and intradermal) has been the recommended approach for some time. The new assay LifeLabs is now offering can be used as an adjunct to skin testing and is recommended as an alternative in many clinical circumstances. The clinical sensitivity and specificity is in the range of 90% for most allergens tested and seems to be particularly useful in identifying food allergens.

In excess of 450 individual allergens can be tested and to optimize utilization a variety of "mix" tests have been assembled for a group of associated common allergens e.g., a mix of weeds or grass pollens. When ordering UniCAP® tests, we suggest you utilize a limited number of "mix" tests consistent with the clinical history in the first instance and follow up any positive results with individual allergen tests. The LifeLabs Allergen Test Requisition lists "mix" tests and common single allergen tests; however, for more unusual allergens please call 1-877-849-3637 for availability. Since this is a new service, we would be pleased to receive any comments on the allergen selections being offered.

The new serum test for allergies may or may not be covered by the provincial health plan or by a private insurance plan. If testing is not covered, then the patient will be charged at the time of specimen collection. Any additional allergen tests ordered after the initial test results will also be billed to the patient. 

Ref 1: The Allergy Report. NIH guidelines for the diagnosis and management of allergies. Washington DC, NIH Publication

For additional information please visit www.isitallergy.com