ABSTRACT
In the diagnosis of human allergic disease in vitro laboratory tests for total IgE and specifi c IgE antibodies are often used when a patient’s clinical history identifi es atopy and a relevant allergen exposure. This chapter will discuss the various in vitro tests that are available, their interpretations and pitfalls. Thorough reviews of this topic are available from a variety of sources.1,2
The immunoglobulin, IgE, is associated with type I hypersensitivity and is an important component in allergic disorders.3 IgE is the least abundant isotype in the blood of normal, non-atopic individuals with typical levels of only 0.05 percent of the total immunoglobulin concentration. However this low amount is capable of triggering powerful allergic reactions. Atopic individuals can have levels that far exceed those found in normal individuals.
