M002-IgE Cladosporium herbarum Biomarker

Overview

M002-IgE Cladosporium herbarum measures allergen‑specific IgE antibodies directed against Cladosporium herbarum, a common airborne mold associated with respiratory allergy.
Specific IgE to this mold reflects immunologic sensitization and is linked in clinical studies with allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and more severe asthma phenotypes.
High levels indicate a higher likelihood that exposure to Cladosporium spores contributes to IgE‑mediated symptoms such as wheeze, rhinitis, or conjunctival irritation, although sensitization can occur without clinical symptoms.
Low or undetectable levels make IgE‑mediated allergy to this mold less likely but do not fully exclude disease, particularly if exposure is limited or if antibodies are produced mainly at mucosal surfaces.
Clinically, the biomarker is useful to support diagnosis and phenotyping of mold‑related respiratory allergy and asthma when interpreted together with history, examination, and other allergy tests.

Clinical Use Cases

Evaluation of suspected mold allergy in patients with rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or bronchospasm following exposure to damp environments or outdoor molds.
Assessment of asthma patients, especially those with severe or poorly controlled disease, where Cladosporium sensitization has been associated with more serious asthma outcomes.
Investigation of chronic or recurrent allergic rhinitis with or without concomitant asthma, to identify mold sensitization patterns contributing to symptoms.
Characterization of atopic dermatitis patients in whom mold sensitization (including to Cladosporium components such as Cla h 8) has been linked with more severe skin disease and coexisting asthma.
Differentiation of environmental triggers in patients polysensitized to multiple aeroallergens, to guide exposure reduction strategies and consideration of allergen immunotherapy in specialized settings.
Use as part of broader allergy or mold IgE panels where serum allergen‑specific IgE testing is employed as an alternative or complement to skin prick testing.

Specimen Types

Serum
Plasma (used in some allergen‑specific IgE assay platforms, depending on laboratory validation)

Measurement Methods

Immunoassay‑based allergen‑specific IgE tests, including:
- Fluorescent or chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassays (e.g., automated platforms for serum specific IgE)
- Solid‑phase immunoassays using mold allergen extracts or components (component‑resolved diagnostics for Cla h 8 and other Cladosporium allergens, in research and specialized practice).
Allergy panels incorporating Cladosporium herbarum among multiple mold allergens, measured via serum specific IgE platforms.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

No fasting requirement; specimens are typically collected without dietary restrictions.
Medications such as antihistamines and inhaled corticosteroids do not significantly affect serum specific IgE levels, though they may modify clinical symptoms; systemic immunosuppressive therapy could theoretically alter IgE production over time.
Timing of collection is generally flexible; however, IgE levels may change gradually with prolonged avoidance or changes in environmental exposure, so repeat testing should consider exposure history.
Total IgE level and degree of atopy can influence interpretation, as people with high overall IgE may show low‑level sensitization to multiple aeroallergens.
Age and comorbid atopic diseases (such as eczema or polysensitization to other aeroallergens) may affect the pattern and intensity of mold‑specific IgE responses.
Environmental factors including damp housing, high outdoor spore counts, and occupational exposure can affect the likelihood of sensitization and the clinical relevance of a positive result.