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Common Silver Birch (Allergen Specific IgE)

Common Silver Birch (t3) (Family Betulaceae)

Test Codes

Antrim #31407, EPIC: LAB5613, SOFT: ECSB

Department

Special Testing Allergens

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

A positive test result (class 1 or greater) is indicative of the presence of allergen-specific IgE and suggests an increased likelihood of allergic disease.

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). Birch tree pollen is a common allergen found in Scandinavia (1). Individuals sensitive to birch pollen may elicit immediate contact reactions to kiwi, plums, peaches, cherries, celery, parsnips, and potatoes.

Birches, oaks, and poplars have a mechanism for protecting the pollen from moisture until the pollen is released into the environment. Pollen from a birch 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 Common silver birch, usually occurs during midday and early afternoon (1). 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 (2). In temperate climates, Common silver birch pollen levels peak in March - May (1).

The airborne transmission of Common silver birch pollen produces itchy, watery eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, and coughing.

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. 485, 488, 495.
2. 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: 15283-5

Contacts

Last Updated

2/9/2023