Biomarker: T002-IgE Alder, Grey

Overview

T002-IgE Alder, Grey measures serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) directed against grey alder (Alnus incana) pollen. IgE is an antibody involved in immediate allergic reactions, including allergic rhinitis and asthma. A detectable or elevated result indicates sensitization to alder pollen, but does not by itself establish clinical allergy or predict symptom severity. The test is clinically useful when interpreted with exposure history, seasonal symptoms, and other allergy findings.

Clinical Use Cases

Supporting evaluation of seasonal allergic rhinitis or allergic asthma associated with alder pollen exposure.
Identifying sensitization to alder pollen when skin-prick testing is unsuitable, unavailable, or affected by medications.
Assessing pollen sensitization patterns alongside birch, hazel, and other related tree pollens.
Supporting evaluation of pollen-food allergy syndrome in pollen-sensitized patients when clinically indicated.
Contributing to allergen selection for avoidance counseling or allergen immunotherapy assessment.
Conducting epidemiologic or clinical research on tree-pollen sensitization.

Specimen Types

Venous blood, typically processed as serum.
Plasma may be accepted by some validated immunoassay platforms, depending on laboratory requirements.

Measurement Methods

Fluorescence-based allergen-specific IgE immunoassay.
Enzyme-linked or enzyme-labeled immunometric assay.
Radioallergosorbent test, or RAST, an older method that has largely been replaced by automated immunoassays.
Multiplex allergen or component-resolved immunoassay panels.
Results are generally reported in allergen-specific IgE units such as kUA/L or equivalent assay-specific units.

Test Preparation and Influencing Factors

Fasting is generally not required for a serum allergen-specific IgE blood test.
Patients should report all medications and supplements. Antihistamines generally do not interfere with blood-specific IgE testing, although medication instructions may differ if skin testing is also planned.
Medications should not be stopped unless directed by a healthcare professional.
The result should be interpreted with the patient’s symptoms, timing of exposure, geographic environment, and seasonal pattern.
A positive result indicates sensitization and does not necessarily mean that alder pollen causes symptoms.
Total IgE concentration, age, atopic conditions, assay characteristics, and laboratory reference ranges may affect interpretation.
Results from different assay platforms may not be directly interchangeable because allergen extracts, calibration systems, and reporting thresholds differ.
Cross-reactivity with related Fagales pollens, particularly birch and hazel, may contribute to concurrent positive results.