Test Id : WEED4
Weed Panel # 4, Serum
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
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 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.
Highlights
This multi-allergen IgE antibody panel, combined with measurement of IgE in serum, is an appropriate first-order test for allergic disease.
It requires less specimen volume and less cost for ruling out allergic response; however, individual (single) allergen responses cannot be identified. In cases of a positive test, follow-up testing must be performed to differentiate between individual allergens in the panel.
Note: Only one result is generated for each panel.
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
Includes testing for giant ragweed, short ragweed, and Western ragweed allergen.
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)
NY State Available
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Reporting Name
Lists a shorter or abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
IgE Antibodies, Multi-Allergen
Includes: Giant Ragweed, Short Ragweed, Western Ragweed
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
Includes testing for giant ragweed, short ragweed, and Western ragweed allergen.
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type validated for testing
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
Defines the optimal specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing
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.
Special Instructions
Library of PDFs including pertinent information and forms related to the test
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of sample necessary to provide a clinically relevant result as determined by the testing laboratory. The minimum volume is sufficient for one attempt at testing.
For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL
For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Gross hemolysis | OK |
| Gross lipemia | OK |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the performing laboratory, alternate acceptable temperatures are also included
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days |
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
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 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.
Testing Algorithm
Delineates situations when tests are added to the initial order. This includes reflex and additional tests.
Includes testing for giant ragweed, short ragweed, and Western ragweed allergen.
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
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 younger 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).
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
| 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 | > or =100 | Strongly positive |
Reference values apply to all ages.
Concentrations of 0.70 kU/L or more (class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high.
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
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.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies in serum, and test results must be interpreted in the clinical context.
False-positive results for IgE antibodies may occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE (>2500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding to allergen solid phases.
Since only one result is generated for this panel, individual (single) allergen responses cannot be identified. When this panel is positive, follow-up testing is required to differentiate between individual allergens in the panel.
Clinical Reference
Recommendations for in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Homburger HA, Hamilton RG: Allergic diseases. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Elsevier; 2022:chap 56
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
PDF Report
Indicates whether the report includes an additional document with charts, images or other enriched information
Day(s) Performed
Outlines the days the test is performed. This field reflects the day that the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means that assays are performed multiple times during the day.
Monday through Friday
Report Available
The interval of time (receipt of sample at Mayo Clinic Laboratories to results available) taking into account standard setup days and weekends. The first day is the time that it typically takes for a result to be available. The last day is the time it might take, accounting for any necessary repeated testing.
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
Indicates the location of the laboratory that performs the test
Fees :
Several factors determine the fee charged to perform a test. Contact your U.S. or International Regional Manager for information about establishing a fee schedule or to learn more about resources to optimize test selection.
- Authorized users can sign in to Test Prices for detailed fee information.
- Clients without access to Test Prices can contact Customer Service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Prospective clients should contact their account representative. For assistance, contact Customer Service.
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR) product.
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
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Clinic Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
CPT codes are provided by the performing laboratory.
86003
LOINC® Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the order and results codes of this test. LOINC values are provided by the performing laboratory.
| Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| WEED4 | Weed Panel # 4 | 73710-6 |
| Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
|---|---|---|
| WEED4 | Weed Panel # 4 | 73710-6 |