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Duck Feathers (Allergen Specific IgE)

Duck Feathers (e86)

Test Codes

Antrim #31625, EPIC: LAB5626, SOFT: EDUC

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

Allergen exposure usually occurs through inhalation of aerosolized feather particles usually present in the pillows or comforters of the patient (1). Duck feather allergens are especially reactive when the feathers are older and degraded versus newly plucked feathers. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, the increased reactivity with aged feathers may be associated with the increasing amounts of fungi and dust mites on the feathers (2).

Duck feather allergies can occur throughout the year in sensitized individuals (1). Contact with aerosolized duck feather allergens can produce itchy, watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing in sensitized individuals.

Individuals who develop allergies should avoid old feather comforters, feather pillows, feather beds, down jackets, and down sleeping bags. These products should be replaced with hypoallergenic products (1).

Reference

1. Korenblat, Phillip MD, H. James Wedner MD. Allergy Theory and Practice. 2nd ed. W.B. Saunders Co.: Philadelplhia. 1992. Pp. 275.
2. Kaplan, Allen P. Allergy. Churchill Livingstone: New York. 1985. Pp. 294.

CPT Codes

86003
LOINC: 6100-2

Contacts

Last Updated

2/20/2023