ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Allergen Component results are reported as quantitative values in the range 0.1 to 100 kUA/L, where A represents allergen-specific antibodies. ImmunoCAP Allergen Components are purified proteins, either natural or recombinant. ImmunoCAP Allergen Component tests for specific IgE antibodies employ these purified, individual allergen proteins, to identify and quantify the levels of IgE antibodies at the molecular level. These assays offer the unique opportunity to assess a person’s allergic sensitization pattern at the protein level. IgE antibodies to different protein families often elicit different types of reactions, so testing to identify which proteins are inducing the IgE response may indicate if a patient’s prior symptoms, or positive test results, were caused by allergy to a given substance or by a cross-reaction with another allergen. Component testing also helps the clinician weigh a patient’s risk of a systemic reaction versus a more mild or localized response.

Specimen collection and preparation

Note: Blood samples for testing ImmunoCAP drugs and venom should be collected during or close to the event, preferably not later than 6 months after exposure. If the test result is negative and an IgE-mediated reaction is still strongly suspected, it is advisable to draw a new sample and repeat the test at 5 to 6 weeks.

The presence of specific IgE antibodies is useful to identify the allergens that elicit symptoms and signs of allergy in patients with respiratory allergic diseases including asthma, food allergy, and anaphylactic sensitivity.

Knowing IgE antibody levels provides guidance to clinicians to:

Specific IgE testing also aids in the identification of patients at risk of:

As in all diagnostic testing, a definitive clinical diagnosis should be made by the clinician after evaluation of all clinical and laboratory findings.