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Test ID ALGAL Galactose-Alpha-1,3-Galactose (Alpha-Gal), IgE, Serum


Ordering Guidance


For a listing of allergens available for testing, see Allergens - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies.



Specimen Required


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.


Useful For

As an aid in diagnosis of an IgE mediated hypersensitivity allergy to non-primate mammalian red meat, such as beef, pork, venison, and meat-derived products (eg, gelatin)

 

This test is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists.

 

This test is not useful for patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

Highlights

The presence of IgE antibodies against galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is associated with red meat allergy.

 

Individuals with IgE antibodies against alpha-gal might develop anaphylactic reactions to the drug cetuximab.

Testing Algorithm

Other meat allergen IgE antibody tests may be considered in addition to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose IgE antibody testing in cases of suspected red meat allergy.

Method Name

Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)

Reporting Name

Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE

Specimen Type

Serum

Specimen Minimum Volume

For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL
For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Serum Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  90 days

Reference Values

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

≥100

Strongly positive

 

Concentrations of 0.70 Ku/L or more (Class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high

Reference values apply to all ages.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Friday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

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

86008

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
ALGAL Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE 73837-7

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
ALGAL Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE 73837-7

NY State Approved

Yes

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:

-Allergen Test Request (T236)

-Microbiology Test Request (T244)