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Dermatophagoides farinae (Allergen Specific IgE)

North American Dust Mite, Dermatophagoides farinae (d2), House Dust Mite

Test Codes

Antrim #31795, EPIC: LAB5622, SOFT: EDRM

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 dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) is a tiny eight legged spider-like insect that lives in human bedding, carpet, and furniture. The dust mite feeds on dead human skin scales. They thrive in warm humid temperatures, and are more predominant in the coastal areas. There are approximately 10,000 house dust mites in the average human bed. The protein allergen that causes allergic symptoms is found in excretion pellets of the mite. Some individuals develop an allergy to these protein particles if they are inhaled. This may result in asthma and/or hay fever or on the skin exacerbate eczema. It is estimated that 50% to 80% of these symptoms are caused by the dust mite fecal protein. Exposure to mites in the first year of life can result in a lifelong allergy. Controlling dust mite levels is the only method of alleviating the symptoms. Dust mite impermeable covers for mattress, blanket, and pillows have been developed that can decrease the antigen level by 20-fold (1). Removing the carpeting in a sensitive person's house can reduce that dust mite antigen concentration by as much as five times that of carpeted homes (1).

Reference

1. Hill D, et al. House Dust Mites and Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunology 1997;99:323-329.

CPT Codes

86003.
LOINC: 6095-4

Contacts

Last Updated

2/20/2023