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Willow (Allergen Specific IgE)

Salix species, Willow Tree, Willow (t12)

Test Codes

Antrim #31660, EPIC: LAB3050, SOFT: EWIL

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

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

Clinical Disease

The primary cultivated sources of pollen allergens aside from a few grass species, such as Timothy grass and the sugar beet, are trees (1).

Most of the willow tree species are insect-pollinated and therefore, do not pose a risk in allergic reactions in humans (1). However, airborne transmission is also a mechanism of pollen dispersal for willow tree species. Pollen from a willow tree is enclosed in a catkin (floral cluster) to protect the pollen grain from moisture. The pollen is then released into rapidly moving air currents to achieve dry air dispersion. Transmission of a tree pollen, such as willow pollen, usually occurs during midday and early afternoon (2). Pollen counts are decreased after periods of rain. Of the pollen allergens, tree pollens are the heaviest and therefore do not travel very far from the pollen source (3). Willow tree pollen levels peak from March through July (1).

The airborne transmission of willow tree pollen produces itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing.

Reference

1. Kaplan, Allen P. Allergy. Churchill Livingstone: New York. 1985. Pp. 276-277.
2. 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. 485, 489, 495.
3. Korenblat, Phillip MD, H. James Wedner MD. Allergy Theory and Practice. 2nd ed. W.B. Saunders Co.: Philadelphia. 1992. Pp. 273.

CPT Codes

86003
LOINC: 6285-1

Contacts

Last Updated

7/21/2024