Biomarker: F012-IgE Green Pea

Overview

F012-IgE Green Pea measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in blood that specifically recognize green pea (Pisum sativum) proteins. IgE sensitization can support evaluation of an immediate-type food allergy, but a positive result alone does not establish clinical allergy or predict reaction severity. Higher results indicate greater likelihood of sensitization, while an undetectable or low result makes sensitization less likely but does not independently exclude allergy. Clinical interpretation requires the patient’s reaction history and, when appropriate, supervised skin testing or an oral food challenge, which is the diagnostic reference standard.

Clinical Use Cases

Evaluation of suspected IgE-mediated allergy to green pea.
Assessment of patients with immediate symptoms after eating green pea, including urticaria, angioedema, vomiting, wheezing, or anaphylaxis.
Identification of green-pea sensitization as part of a broader legume or food-allergy evaluation.
Supporting, but not independently confirming, the diagnosis of pea allergy alongside clinical history and other allergy tests.
Research on pea allergens and patterns of sensitization in children and adults.

Specimen Types

Serum obtained from venous blood.
Plasma may be accepted by some assays, according to the performing laboratory’s requirements.

Measurement Methods

Fluoroenzyme immunoassay or other automated solid-phase immunoassays for allergen-specific serum IgE.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for research or specialized testing.
Immunoblotting for research characterization of IgE binding to individual pea proteins, rather than routine clinical measurement.
Results are commonly reported in kUA/L or equivalent specific-IgE units, with assay-specific detection limits and interpretive classes.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

No fasting or other special preparation is generally required for an allergy blood test.
Patients should report all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements. Medicines should not be stopped unless directed by a healthcare professional.
Antihistamines generally do not alter the concentration of circulating specific IgE, but they can affect skin-prick testing performed as part of the same evaluation.
Recent exposure to green pea is not usually required before blood collection.
The result indicates sensitization, not necessarily symptomatic allergy, and should be interpreted with the timing, reproducibility, and nature of symptoms after exposure.
Total IgE, atopic disease, cross-sensitization among legumes, and assay characteristics may affect interpretation.
The concentration of pea-specific IgE does not reliably determine the severity of a future reaction.