Biomarker: F080-IgE Lobster

Overview

F080-IgE Lobster measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in blood that specifically recognize lobster proteins. IgE is involved in immediate hypersensitivity reactions, including hives, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and anaphylaxis. A detectable or elevated result indicates sensitization to lobster but does not by itself confirm a clinically relevant allergy or predict reaction severity. The test is clinically useful when interpreted with the patient’s history and, when necessary, skin-prick testing or a medically supervised oral food challenge.

Clinical Use Cases

Evaluating suspected immediate allergic reactions after eating lobster.
Supporting assessment of suspected crustacean or shellfish allergy.
Identifying sensitization when skin-prick testing is unsuitable, unavailable, or affected by medications.
Helping evaluate possible cross-reactivity among crustaceans and other arthropods.
Supporting research on shellfish-specific IgE responses and seafood allergy.

Specimen Types

Serum or plasma obtained from venous blood.
Capillary blood may be accepted by some testing systems, but specimen requirements are method-specific.

Measurement Methods

In-vitro allergen-specific IgE immunoassay.
Fluorescence enzyme immunoassay, including ImmunoCAP-type platforms.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or other solid-phase immunoassays.
Multiplex allergen-specific IgE platforms.
Results are commonly reported quantitatively in kUA/L or equivalent units, with laboratory-specific interpretation categories.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

Fasting is generally not required for a serum-specific IgE blood test.
Antihistamines typically do not need to be stopped for blood testing, although they can suppress skin-prick test responses. Medication changes should be discussed with the ordering clinician.
The result should be interpreted alongside the type, amount, and timing of lobster exposure and the symptoms that followed.
A positive result indicates sensitization and does not establish that ingestion will cause symptoms or indicate reaction severity.
Cross-reactive IgE, particularly to shared crustacean proteins such as tropomyosin, may produce positive results to multiple shellfish species without equivalent clinical reactions.
Total IgE elevation and nonspecific assay binding may affect interpretation in some individuals.
A negative result does not completely exclude allergy when the clinical history is strongly suggestive.
Oral food challenges should be performed only under appropriate medical supervision because they can provoke serious reactions.