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ImmunoCap^® Specific IgE Blood Test Regional Profiles

ImmunoCAP technology breaks down the US into 19 separate regions - each of which focuses on the allergens of that region. As a result, the test taken by your patient is customized for your specific geographic location. ImmunoCAP testing also offers the flexibility of adding or deleting allergens based on your patient's needs.

While you can choose from hundreds of allergens, most patients presenting with nasal symptoms can be tested effectively with a regional Upper Respiratory Allergy Profile consisting of from 13-18 of the most common inhalant allergens specific to that region, along with total IgE. This assures that each Regional Upper Respiratory Allergy Profile provides an accurate and convenient method of confirming or excluding atopy in patients with allergy-like symptoms based on their geographic region.

What is the ImmunoCAP Specific IgE Blood Test?

A laboratory test to rule in or rule out atopy in patients with allergy-like symptoms. ImmunoCAP provides a clinically relevant means of confirming or excluding the presence of atopic disease in patients with upper respiratory disease. These allergy-like symptoms are very difficult to differentiate. ImmunoCAP will also accurately identify specific allergen sensitivities in patients with confirmed allergy.

What Does the Test Measure?

This in vitro quantitative assay measures allergen specific IgE in human serum. It is intended for in vitro diagnosis use as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of IgE mediated allergic disorders in conjunction with other clinical findings. ImmunoCAP assays can be performed on hundreds of allergens such as weeds, trees, pollens, mold, food, and animal dander.

What is the Role of this Test in Diagnosing and Managing Upper Respiratory Disease?

Causes of nasal symptoms associated with upper respiratory disease (URD) can range from aspirin intolerance to pregnancy. The exact etiology of allergy-like symptoms is often difficult to determine definitively. The origin could be allergic, bacterial, viral, or pathological and is virtually impossible to establish with an empirical assessment alone. Compounding this, consumer awareness is at an all-time high. Patients often come in with a pre-determined self-diagnosis and request for therapy. History and physical are important, but further inquiry is often necessary to provide an evidence-based diagnosis and treatment regimen. ImmnoCAP Specific IgE blood test can definitively rule in or rule out atopic disease as the cause of or contributing factor to these symptoms.

Once a definitive diagnosis is reached, regardless of the presence or absence of atopy, appropriate treatment options can be employed. When atopy proves to be a factor in URD, avoidance is considered the primary therapeutic approach by all leading professional allergy associations. This test can identify the specific causative allergens.

How Does this Test Compare with Other Technologies?

The technology used in ImmunoCAP is a vast improvement over earlier blood allergy testing (RAST®). In fact, ImmunoCAP has recently been cleared by the FDA to provide quantitative measurement of IgE. This means ImmunoCAP can quantitatively and accurately determine if patients are allergic and exactly what they are allergic to. A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology demonstrated that ImmunoCAP is the standard for accuracy and reliability for quantitative IgE testing.

The basis of the innovative ImmunoCAP technology is a cellulose polymer in a plastic reserve. This unique technology provides high binding capacity of clinically relevant allergen proteins, including those present in very low levels. This provides both accurate results and increased sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, equaling the most advanced in vitro allergy testing available today.

Who Should Be Tested?

Anyone presenting with nasal or other allergy-like symptoms is a candidate for specific IgE testing. However, ImmunoCAP Specific IgE blood test should be strongly considered for patients with

What is the Quest Diagnostics Difference?

New tools are now available to assist physicians with the diagnosis and management of URD. We at Quest Diagnostics are excited to help you incorporate this technology into your practice. ImmunoCAP Specific IgE blood test will help you better manage patients presenting with allergy-like symptoms. Only ImmunoCAP provides the accuracy needed to assist you in these diagnoses, and Quest Diagnostics is proud to be the only national laboratory providing this superior technology to you. To further support your practice, we provide physicians with the following materials:

Supporting Technical Information

Visit the PubMed site to read the following abstracts:

ImmunoCAP is a registered trademark of Pharmacia Diagnostics AB. RAST is a trademark of Pharmacia Diagnostics AB.

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