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Test Code MOLD1 Mold Panel, Serum

Reporting Name

Mold Panel

Useful For

Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to mold

 

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 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.

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Specimen Type

Serum


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 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

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.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

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

Clinical Information

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

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Reject Due To

Gross hemolysis OK
Gross lipemia OK

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)

Forms

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