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IgE Penicillium chrysogenum

Penicillium chrysogenum/notatum

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB2111625, SOFT: EPNN

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 Chemistry 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

Positive assay results indicate a high probability of allergic disease. Negative assay results effectively rule out allergy induced by those allergens.

Clinical Disease

Although Penicillium species are manipulated to produce the drug penicillin, allergic responses to Penicillium do not necessarily indicate that the patient will be allergic to penicillin. The distribution of Penicillium chrysogenum is high in soils, grassy areas, and forests as well as being present as a common household mold. Within the home, Penicillium is found on fruit, nuts and stale bread. Penicillium is utilized in the production of a variety of cheeses, including Camembert & Roquefort (1).

The transmission mechanism of a fungus, such as Penicillium, is through spore inhalation. Upon inhalation of the spores, the allergic individual commonly develops symptoms of coughing, shortness of breath, and rarely, hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Cheeses and other foods prepared with fungi may produce an allergic response or intensify an allergic reaction in patients with fungal allergies. Less often, consumption of dried fruits, mushrooms, soy sauce or vinegar may initiate an allergic response in patients with fungal allergies.

Penicillium spores are seen in warm, dry areas year-round and occur in the highest concentration indoors (1).

Reference

1. Middleton, E., Charles Reed, Elliot Ellis, N. Franklin Adkinson, John Yunginger, and William Busse. Allergy Principles and Practice. Volume I. 4th ed. Mosby: St. Louis. 1993. Pp. 510, 538.

CPT Codes

86003
LOINC: 6212-5

Contacts

Last Updated

11/11/2024