NON VEG ALLERGY SCREENING TESTS (BY IMMUNO - EIA)

Allergy

Report in 72Hrs

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No Fasting Required

Details

Food allergy panel (meats, fish, egg).

₹1,924₹2,749

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NON VEG ALLERGY SCREENING TESTS (BY IMMUNO-EIA)

Why is it done?
- Test Purpose: This test measures specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against non-vegetarian food allergens using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) technology to identify allergic sensitization to meat, poultry, and seafood products.
- Primary Indications: Diagnosis of suspected allergies to meat (beef, pork, lamb), poultry (chicken, turkey), or seafood (fish, shellfish, crustaceans)
- Clinical Symptoms Assessment: Evaluation of symptoms including urticaria, angioedema, oral allergy syndrome, gastrointestinal distress, respiratory symptoms, or anaphylaxis occurring after consuming non-vegetarian foods
- Differential Diagnosis: Distinguishing true IgE-mediated allergies from food intolerance or other gastrointestinal conditions
- Timing: Performed when clinical history suggests food allergy, after ruling out other conditions, or as part of comprehensive allergy screening panels in susceptible individuals
Normal Range
- Reference Values: < 0.35 kUA/L (kiloUnits of allergen-specific IgE per liter) - Negative (no detectable sensitization)
- Result Interpretation Classes: Class 0: < 0.35 kUA/L (Negative); Class 1: 0.35-0.69 kUA/L (Very low); Class 2: 0.70-3.49 kUA/L (Low); Class 3: 3.50-17.49 kUA/L (Moderate); Class 4: 17.50-52.49 kUA/L (High); Class 5: 52.50-100 kUA/L (Very high); Class 6: > 100 kUA/L (Extremely high)
- Units of Measurement: kUA/L (kiloUnits of allergen-specific IgE per liter) or IU/mL (International Units per milliliter)
- Negative Results: < 0.35 kUA/L indicates no clinically significant IgE antibodies against the specific non-vegetarian food allergen tested, suggesting low probability of IgE-mediated allergy to that food
- Positive Results: > 0.35 kUA/L indicates presence of allergen-specific IgE antibodies; higher values correlate with increased likelihood of clinical allergic reaction
- Borderline Values: 0.35-0.69 kUA/L (Class 1) represents very low sensitization with uncertain clinical significance; requires clinical correlation and may warrant repeat testing or additional diagnostic evaluation
Interpretation
- Class 0 (Negative, < 0.35 kUA/L): No detectable allergen-specific IgE; low risk of IgE-mediated allergic reaction; symptoms may indicate non-allergic causes or sensitivity to other allergens
- Class 1-2 (Very Low to Low, 0.35-3.49 kUA/L): Minimal sensitization detected; clinical significance uncertain; may not correlate with symptoms; requires clinical judgment; patient may tolerate the food without reactions
- Class 3 (Moderate, 3.50-17.49 kUA/L): Clinically significant sensitization; good positive predictive value for allergy; patient likely to experience symptoms upon exposure; avoidance recommended
- Class 4-6 (High to Extremely High, > 17.5 kUA/L): Strong sensitization; high likelihood of severe allergic reactions; strong positive predictive value for clinical allergy; strict avoidance essential; risk of anaphylaxis; emergency preparedness recommended
- Affecting Factors - Cross-Reactivity: Structural similarities between allergens may result in cross-reactivity (e.g., shellfish species, fish species); results from one allergen may predict reactions to related foods
- Affecting Factors - Heat Processing: Cooking methods alter protein structure; some individuals tolerate cooked forms better than raw; test results may not reflect tolerance to all preparation methods
- Affecting Factors - Atopy Status: Atopic individuals (with allergic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma) show higher IgE levels; baseline atopy influences test sensitivity and specificity
- Affecting Factors - Recent Allergen Exposure: Recent exposure elevates IgE levels; timing of test relative to last exposure affects interpretation
- Clinical Significance - Positive Predictive Value: Higher class values (Class 3+) have better positive predictive value; Classes 1-2 may represent sensitization without clinical significance
- Clinical Correlation Essential: Results must be interpreted alongside detailed clinical history, symptom timeline, and physical examination; positive results without clinical symptoms may not indicate clinical allergy; negative results do not exclude non-IgE mediated allergies
Associated Organs
- Primary Organ Systems: Gastrointestinal tract (allergic gastroenteritis, food-dependent eosinophilic disorders); integumentary system (urticaria, angioedema); respiratory system (allergic rhinitis exacerbation, bronchospasm); cardiovascular system (anaphylactic shock)
- Gastrointestinal Manifestations: Oral allergy syndrome, lip and throat swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, gastrointestinal dysmotility, food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), eosinophilic esophagitis, allergic colitis
- Cutaneous Manifestations: Acute urticaria, pruritus, angioedema, erythematous rash, atopic dermatitis exacerbation, contact urticaria with food handling
- Respiratory Manifestations: Allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, post-nasal drip, laryngeal edema, bronchospasm, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma exacerbation, stridor
- Cardiovascular Complications: Anaphylaxis (severe, life-threatening systemic reaction); hypotension, tachycardia, syncope, shock, myocardial involvement, sudden cardiac death in severe cases
- Associated Conditions - Meat Allergy: Alpha-gal syndrome (tick-borne sensitization causing delayed reactions), mammalian meat allergy, mastocytosis
- Associated Conditions - Seafood Allergy: Fish allergy (tropomyosin-mediated), shellfish allergy (crustacean and molluscan protein allergies), exercise-induced anaphylaxis with shellfish, occupational asthma in seafood handlers
- Associated Conditions - Poultry Allergy: Bird-egg syndrome (cross-reactivity with egg proteins), feather-derived inhalant allergies, egg allergy with poultry reactivity
- Potential Complications: Severe anaphylaxis requiring emergency intervention, airway compromise, respiratory failure, circulatory collapse, malnutrition from unnecessary food restrictions, psychological impact of chronic dietary limitations, quality of life deterioration
Follow-up Tests
- Confirmatory Testing: Oral food challenge (OFC) - gold standard for confirming clinical allergy; open challenge, single-blind, or double-blind placebo-controlled (DBPC) formats based on clinical context
- Skin Testing: Skin prick test (SPT) with specific non-vegetarian allergen extracts for correlation with serum IgE results; useful for bedside allergy evaluation with immediate results
- Allergen Component Testing: Component-resolved diagnostics (CRD) for specific allergenic proteins (e.g., tropomyosin in shellfish, Ara h proteins); helps differentiate cross-reactivity and predict severity; useful for risk stratification
- Related Comprehensive Allergy Panels: Multi-allergen screening panels (combined vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods), comprehensive food allergy screens, inhalant and environmental allergen testing if polysensitization suspected
- Total IgE Level: Assessment of baseline IgE to evaluate atopic status; very high total IgE may warrant investigation for parasitic infections, hyper-IgE syndrome, or other immunological disorders
- Tryptase Level: Baseline serum tryptase to screen for mastocytosis; if anaphylaxis occurs, serum and urine tryptase measured 15 minutes to 3 hours post-event to confirm mast cell degranulation
- Tissue Biopsies (if indicated): Esophageal or gastric biopsy for eosinophilic esophagitis/gastritis suspected; histology shows eosinophilic infiltration; useful for suspected food protein-induced enterocolitis
- Micronutrient Assessment: Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and vitamin D levels if significant non-vegetarian foods excluded; nutritional status evaluation for vegetarian patients requiring allergy avoidance
- Gastrointestinal Investigations (if indicated): Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy for severe or refractory gastrointestinal symptoms; stool studies for parasites if needed; lactose tolerance test to exclude secondary lactose intolerance from intestinal inflammation
- Monitoring Frequency: Annual or as clinically indicated to assess for resolution of food allergy (natural tolerance development); repeat testing if symptoms persist despite strict avoidance or change in clinical presentation; re-evaluation before reintroduction attempts
- Immunotherapy Monitoring: Specific IgE levels before and during oral immunotherapy (OIT) or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) to assess desensitization; IgG4 antibody levels as markers of tolerance induction
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Status: NO - Fasting is NOT required for this test. Serum IgE measurement via Immuno-EIA is not affected by food intake or fasting status.
- Dietary Precautions Before Testing: No specific dietary restrictions required; normal diet may be consumed; timing relative to actual food ingestion does not influence IgE antibody detection in serum
- Medication Instructions: Do NOT discontinue antihistamines (H1 and H2 blockers) or corticosteroids as they do not affect serum IgE levels; continue all regular medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by physician
- Sample Collection Requirements: 5-10 mL of blood collected via venipuncture into a serum separator tube (SST) or standard blood collection tube; no special handling or collection techniques required
- Pre-Test Preparation: Schedule test at convenient time; no preparation required; can be performed any time of day; no need for morning or specific time-based testing; maintain normal daily routine
- Clinical History Documentation: Important: Document detailed food history including specific foods triggering symptoms, timing of symptoms relative to food intake, and current dietary practices before blood draw; provide this information to healthcare provider for proper test interpretation
- Skin Test Precautions (if concurrent skin testing planned): Discontinue antihistamines 3-7 days before skin prick testing; do not apply lotion or sunscreen to test sites; wear loose-fitting, short-sleeved clothing
- Acute Reaction Precautions: If ongoing acute allergic reaction suspected, stabilize patient medically (epinephrine, antihistamines, steroids) before serum collection; serum IgE collection timing not affected by acute vs. chronic presentation

How our test process works!