Test Code INSEC Stinging Insects Allergen Profile, Serum
Reporting Name
Stinging Insects Allergen ProfileUseful For
Establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to honeybee, yellow jacket, wasp, yellow-faced hornet, and white-faced hornet venoms
Defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms
Identifying allergens:
-Responsible for allergic response or anaphylactic episode
-To confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy
-To investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens
This test is not useful for patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists, or in patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.
Profile Information
Test ID | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
HBV | Honeybee Venom, IgE | Yes | Yes |
YJV | Yellow Jacket Venom, IgE | Yes | Yes |
WSPV | Wasp Venom, IgE | Yes | Yes |
YFHV | Yellow Faced Hornet Venom, IgE | Yes | Yes |
WFHV | White Faced Hornet Venom, IgE | Yes | Yes |
Performing Laboratory

Specimen Type
SerumOrdering Guidance
For a listing of allergens available for testing, see Allergens - Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Antibodies.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.8 mL
Collection Instructions: Centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.5 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
---|---|---|
Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days |
Frozen | 90 days |
Special Instructions
Reference Values
Class |
IgE kU/L |
Interpretation |
0 |
<0.10 |
Negative |
0/1 |
0.10-0.34 |
Borderline/equivocal |
1 |
0.35-0.69 |
Equivocal |
2 |
0.70-3.49 |
Positive |
3 |
3.50-17.4 |
Positive |
4 |
17.5-49.9 |
Strongly positive |
5 |
50.0-99.9 |
Strongly positive |
6 |
≥100 |
Strongly positive |
Concentrations of 0.70 kU/L or more (class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high.
Reference values apply to all ages.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86003 x 5
LOINC Code Information
Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
INSEC | Stinging Insects Allergen Profile | 94593-1 |
Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
HBV | Honeybee Venom, IgE | 6844-5 |
WFHV | White Faced Hornet Venom, IgE | 6280-2 |
WSPV | Wasp Venom, IgE | 13176-3 |
YFHV | Yellow Faced Hornet Venom, IgE | 6288-5 |
YJV | Yellow Jacket Venom, IgE | 6740-5 |
Clinical Information
Clinical manifestations of immediate hypersensitivity (allergic) diseases are caused by the release of proinflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins) from IgE-sensitized effector cells (mast cells and basophils) when cell-bound IgE antibodies interact with an allergen.
In vitro serum testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the immune response to allergen that may be associated with allergic disease.
The allergens chosen for testing often depend upon the age of the patient, history of allergen exposure, season of the year, and clinical manifestations. In individuals predisposed to develop allergic disease, the sequence of sensitization and clinical manifestations proceed as follows: eczema and respiratory disease (rhinitis and bronchospasm) in infants and children younger than 5 years due to food sensitivity (milk, egg, soy, and wheat proteins) followed by respiratory disease (rhinitis and asthma) in older children and adults due to sensitivity to inhalant allergens (dust mite, mold, and pollen inhalants).
Interpretation
Detection of IgE antibodies in serum (class 1 or greater) indicates an increased likelihood of allergic disease as opposed to other etiologies and defines the allergens responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms.
The level of IgE antibodies in serum varies directly with the concentration of IgE antibodies expressed as a class score or kU/L.
Report Available
Same day/1 day to 3 daysSpecimen Retention Time
14 daysReject Due To
Gross hemolysis | OK |
Gross lipemia | OK |
Method Name
Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send an Allergen Test Request (T236) with the specimen.
Testing Algorithm
This profile includes testing for honeybee, yellow jacket, wasp, yellow faced hornet, and white-faced hornet venoms.