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Cockroach (Allergen Specific IgE)

Cockroach (i6)

Test Codes

Antrim #31381, EPIC: LAB2111479, SOFT: ECOC

Department

Immunology

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: One Gold-top SST tube.

Twenty individual allergen assays or allergen screens can be performed on one 5 mL Gold-top SST tube. Each allergen assay requires 100 mcL of serum.

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Refrigerate (2-8°C or 36-46°F) the centrifuged collection tube within two hours of collection.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Centrifuged collection tube, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

Plasma specimens.

Severely lipemic or hemolyzed specimens.

In-Lab Processing

Let specimen clot 30-60 minutes then immediately centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Room temperature is acceptable for a maximum of two hours.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Centrifuged SST Tubes and Microtainers^® with Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Red-top Tubes and Microtainers^® without Separator Gel
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): Unacceptable
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable

Serum Specimens (Pour-Overs)
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 2 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 1 month

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days

Laboratory

Royal Oak Special Testing Laboratory

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available the next business day.

Reference Range

Allergy Reference Range: Less than 0.35 kU/L. 

Range (kU/L)	Class	Interpretation
Less than or equal to 0.34	0	Negative
0.35-0.69	1	Low
0.70-3.49	2	Medium
3.50-17.49	3	High
17.50-49.99	4	Very High
50.0-100.0	5	Very High
Greater than 100	6	Very High

Test Methodology

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA).

Interpretation

The allergen class may not be predictive of clinical disease in some patients. The diagnosis of allergy should be based upon patient history and clinical findings. The diagnosis of allergy should not be based upon laboratory findings alone.

Clinical Utility

A positive test result (class 1 or greater) is indicative of the presence of allergen-specific IgE and suggests an increased likelihood of allergic disease.

Clinical Disease

Hypersensitivity to cockroach allergens has been implicated as a factor in "urban asthma" (1). Cockroach allergies may be as prevalent as ragweed hypersensitivity in the U.S. The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and the German cockroach (B. germanica) share allergens. Cockroach allergens have been identified as a potent allergen source in house dust. Whole body and skin casts are the most potent allergens on a weight basis, and cockroach egg casing and feces are less reactive. People living in low-income, inner city housing often have a higher incidence of exposure to these materials (2).

Cockroach antigens cause immediate skin reactions and bronchoconstriction. Cockroach allergy should be considered in patients with perennial asthma.

Reference

1. Kang, B.C., J. Johnson, C. Veres-Thorner Atopic profile of inner-city asthma with a comparative analysis on the cockroach- sensitive and rawwe-sensitive subgroups. Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology. 1993;92(6):802-11.
2. Allen P. Kaplan, M.D. Allergy. Churchill Livingstone: New York, 1985, pg 289.

CPT Codes

86003
LOINC: 30170-5

Contacts

Last Updated

7/21/2024