title: Laboratory analyses in the diagnosis of human allergic disease.
abstract: The clinical immunology laboratory provides support to the allergist in the diagnosis and management of human allergic diseases. Following a clinical history, the detection of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum can be useful in the definitive diagnosis of an IgE antibody-mediated hypersensitivity. Total serum IgE, the multiallergen screen, and mast cell tryptase are less commonly measured analytes in the work-up of the allergic patient. More recently, the clinical laboratory has employed monoclonal antibody based-enzyme immunoassays to quantify dust mite, cat, dog, and cockroach indicator aeroallergen levels in indoor home and work environments. Levels of allergenic proteins in environmental and medical/consumer products are measured by other assays such as the competitive inhibition radioallergosorbent test. Methods of quantification, internal quality control, and external proficiency testing programs are emphasized in this report.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D002415:Cats; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology; D011786:Quality Control; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012015:Reference Standards
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007840:Latex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E