Biomarker: F085-IgE Celery

Overview

F085-IgE Celery measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies directed against celery (Apium graveolens) allergens in serum. IgE is involved in immediate hypersensitivity reactions, and sensitization to celery may be associated with oral allergy syndrome, urticaria, gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms, and, less commonly, anaphylaxis. A detectable result indicates sensitization but does not independently establish clinically relevant celery allergy or predict reaction severity. The test supports evaluation of suspected celery allergy when interpreted with the patient’s exposure history and, when necessary, supervised food-challenge results.

Clinical Use Cases

Evaluation of suspected IgE-mediated allergy to raw or cooked celery.
Investigation of immediate symptoms occurring after celery or celeriac exposure.
Assessment of possible pollen-associated food allergy, particularly celery reactions associated with birch or mugwort pollen sensitization.
Support for diagnostic evaluation when skin testing is unsuitable or cannot be reliably interpreted.
Follow-up assessment of sensitization over time in selected patients.
Use in research examining celery allergens and component-resolved diagnosis, including Api g 1, Api g 2, Api g 4, Api g 6, and emerging components such as Api g 7.

Specimen Types

Venous blood.
Serum separated from venous blood.
Plasma may be accepted by some analytical systems, depending on laboratory validation.

Measurement Methods

Extract-based serum allergen-specific IgE immunoassay.
Fluorescence enzyme immunoassay or other solid-phase immunoassay formats.
Single-allergen testing against celery extract.
Component-resolved testing for selected celery allergens, such as Api g 1, Api g 2, Api g 4, or Api g 6, when available.
Multiplex allergen microarray or multiplex immunoassay panels.
Skin-prick or prick-to-prick testing may be used as complementary clinical tests, but they do not measure serum F085-specific IgE.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

Fasting is generally not required for a serum food-specific IgE test.
Antihistamines and some other medicines can affect skin-prick testing, but they generally do not invalidate serum-specific IgE measurement. Medication use should still be reported to the clinician.
Do not stop prescription or over-the-counter medicines unless instructed by a healthcare professional.
Recent celery exposure is not usually required before blood collection.
Results should be interpreted with the timing, reproducibility, amount, preparation, and form of celery associated with symptoms.
Celery cultivar, plant part, and processing may influence allergen exposure. Some allergens are more represented in stalk or tuber, and heating can alter the activity of particular allergens.
Birch or mugwort pollen sensitization may contribute to cross-reactive IgE findings and symptoms.
High total IgE, cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants, and other cross-reactive allergen antibodies may contribute to clinically nonspecific positive results.
A positive result indicates sensitization, not necessarily symptomatic allergy. A negative result may not exclude allergy if relevant celery allergens are underrepresented or absent from the test extract, including Api g 7 in currently available commercial assays.
F085-IgE concentration cannot by itself determine the likelihood or severity of an allergic reaction. If clinical history and testing disagree, an allergist may consider supervised oral food challenge testing.