Biomarker: M014-IgE Epicoccum purpur

Overview

M014-IgE measures serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to Epicoccum purpurascens, a ubiquitous airborne mold also associated in some sources with Epicoccum nigrum. Epicoccum allergens can trigger type I hypersensitivity in sensitized individuals and have been associated with allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic fungal sinusitis, and, less commonly, hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A detectable result indicates immunologic sensitization, but it does not by itself establish symptomatic mold allergy or predict reaction severity. The test is clinically useful when interpreted with exposure history, respiratory symptoms, physical findings, and other allergy testing.

Clinical Use Cases

Assess sensitization to Epicoccum purpurascens in patients with suspected mold-related allergic rhinitis or asthma.
Support evaluation of respiratory symptoms associated with indoor, outdoor, occupational, or environmental mold exposure.
Help identify a specific mold allergen when targeted allergen testing is clinically indicated.
Complement skin-prick testing or broader mold-allergen panels when results are discordant or skin testing is unsuitable.
Support research into fungal allergens and IgE-mediated respiratory disease.
Distinguish sensitization from other possible causes of respiratory symptoms when interpreted in the appropriate clinical context.

Specimen Types

Venous blood.
Serum separated from whole blood is the usual specimen for allergen-specific IgE measurement.

Measurement Methods

Solid-phase immunoassay for allergen-specific IgE.
Fluorescence-based immunoassay, including ImmunoCAP-type methods.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, or ELISA, used in clinical and research studies.
Immunoblotting and related research immunoassays for characterizing Epicoccum allergenic proteins.
Skin-prick testing with Epicoccum extract may be used as a complementary, but separate, assessment of sensitization.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

Fasting is generally not required for an allergen-specific IgE blood test.
Tell the healthcare professional about all medications and supplements. Some medicines, including antihistamines, may affect certain allergy tests, although they generally do not invalidate blood-specific IgE testing. Do not stop prescribed medication unless instructed.
Collection timing is not usually restricted. Results reflect circulating allergen-specific IgE at the time of sampling.
Recent or ongoing allergen exposure may influence clinical symptoms, but a positive blood result indicates sensitization rather than proving that the current exposure caused symptoms.
Total IgE concentration, age, atopic status, immune conditions, and assay-specific reference ranges may affect interpretation.
Cross-reactivity among fungal allergens can contribute to positive results and should be considered when several mold tests are positive.
A negative result does not completely exclude clinically relevant mold allergy, particularly when the extract does not represent the relevant allergen or when testing and symptoms are discordant.
The magnitude of specific IgE generally relates to the likelihood of clinical reactivity, not the severity of a future reaction.

Synonyms

Epicoccum purpurascens-specific IgE
Epicoccum mold-specific IgE
Epicoccum allergen-specific IgE
M014 or m14 Epicoccum
Epicoccum purpurascens allergen
Epicoccum nigrum, a name used in some taxonomic and clinical sources for the same or closely related Epicoccum material.
Epicoccum mold allergy blood test