Antibody Assessment Panels

Allergic and other hypersensitivity reactions to foods and aeroallergens are characterized by elevated allergen-specific antibody levels in the affected individual's blood. Research indicates that these types of reactions are implicated in a number of health problems. Through our Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) methodology we provide a useful tool for practitioners to assess their patients' allergies and sensitivities to a variety of common allergens.

Our standard, curve based method for our semi-quantitative allergen-specific IgE ELISA is traceable to World Health Organization's standards. These standards increase immunoassay sensitivity against a broad range of allergen concentrations allowing for the detection of minute levels of IgE antibodies in a serum specimen for accurate assay performance. This respect for global standards and attention to detail guarantees the highest quality antibody testing for your patients.

For a comprehensive look at the body's immune reaction to foods and inhalants, US BioTek Laboratories offers the following antibody assays:

     IgE Antibody Assessment

IgE antibodies are found primarily in mucous secretions. An IgE reaction occurs immediately after exposure to the allergen, a food or inhalant.
The early phase reaction usually occurs within 15 minutes of exposure to the allergen. The late phase reaction may then occur 4-6 hours later and persist for days with increased edema and inflammation.

     IgG Antibody Assessment

IgG antibodies represent the most prevalent class found in the blood. The inflammatory process is gradual and may take anywhere from several hours to several days, which is why this type of reaction is called, delayed.
Although immune cells, called macrophages, dispose of these immune complexes immediately, they only have a finite capacity to do so. Excess antigen may saturate the macrophages capacity to clear them from the body, resulting in the prolonged circulation of complexes and their deposition into the body tissues.
There are several subclasses of IgG, including IgG1, 2, 3, and 4. US BioTek assays for all four subclasses and reports this as the total IgG antibody level scored for each antigen.

     IgA Antibody Assessment

IgA antibody testing provides additional information to identify suspected food or inhalant triggers; IgA represents a primary immune reaction with a half-life of about 5-6 days when compared to IgG, which has a half-life of about 20-24 days.
US BioTek Laboratories' in-house studies show that, of the 90-95% of blood samples testing negative for specific-IgE antibodies, 70-85% of them test positive for specific-IgG antibodies. Of the blood samples testing negative for both specific-IgE and IgG antibodies, 30-40% of them test positive for specific-IgA antibodies.
Both IgA and IgG may be present in a variety of chronic inflammatory disorders. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule on when to order IgG versus IgA testing, or when to do both, but assessing both antibodies offers a comprehensive picture for the patient.

7-Zone Color Bar Graph - This offers a visual representation of a patient's antibody levels shown against the respective antigens from our food and inhalant panels.
Foods and Aeroallergens - These are grouped by type, e.g. dairy, nuts/grains, molds, pollens, etc.
Individualized Report - A FoodStats Elimination & Rotation Diet Guideline comes with each food antibody report exhibiting high reactions.

For more information about our antibody testing, please refer to our FAQ Page.

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