Biomarker: M010-IgE Stemphylium herbarum

Overview

M010-IgE measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies directed against the mold Stemphylium herbarum. IgE is an antibody involved in immediate allergic reactions, including activation of mast cells and release of inflammatory mediators. A detectable or elevated result indicates sensitization to the tested mold allergen, but it does not by itself establish symptomatic allergy or predict reaction severity. The test is clinically useful when interpreted with the patient’s symptoms, exposure history, and evaluation for allergic rhinitis or asthma.

Clinical Use Cases

Evaluating suspected mold-related allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, cough, wheezing, or asthma.
Identifying sensitization to S. herbarum as part of an environmental mold allergy assessment.
Supporting evaluation of fungal sensitization in patients with asthma.
Complementing skin-prick testing when skin testing is unsuitable because of skin disease, medication use, or concern about a severe reaction.
Supporting research on fungal sensitization and respiratory allergic disease.

Specimen Types

Serum or plasma collected from venous blood.
Skin test material is used for skin-prick testing, but it is an alternative assessment method rather than a specimen for serum-specific IgE measurement.

Measurement Methods

In vitro serum allergen-specific IgE immunoassay.
Fluorescence-based immunoassays, including modern solid-phase specific-IgE platforms.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.
Radioallergosorbent test methods, an older approach that is also referred to as RAST.
Skin-prick testing with standardized or locally available mold extracts as a complementary method.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

Fasting is generally not required for an allergy blood test.
Antihistamines and other medicines may affect skin-prick testing, but they generally do not prevent serum-specific IgE measurement. Do not stop medicines unless instructed by a healthcare professional.
Results should be interpreted with current and previous symptoms, suspected exposures, and clinical history.
A positive result indicates sensitization and does not confirm that exposure causes symptoms or indicate how severe a future reaction will be.
Total IgE, smoking, parasitic infection, age, and other allergic conditions may influence overall IgE concentrations, but total IgE should not be used as a substitute for S. herbarum-specific IgE.
Allergen extract composition and assay calibration can vary between testing methods, so results and reference categories are method-specific.
Cross-reactivity with related fungal allergens, including Alternaria, may complicate interpretation of a positive result.