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26287 Allergen Panel, Galactose-Alpha-1, 3-Galactose (Alpha-Gal) Mammalian Meat Allergy Profile, Serum (APGAL)

Allergen Panel, Galactose-Alpha-1, 3-Galactose (Alpha-Gal) Mammalian Meat Allergy Profile, Serum (APGAL)
Test Code: APGALSO
Synonyms/Keywords

​Galactose IgE
Galactose-alpha-1,3
Alpha-Gal

Test Components

​Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE; Beef, IgE; Pork, IgE; Lamb, IgE; Milk, IgE

Useful For

As an aid in diagnosis of an IgE mediated hypersensitivity allergy to non-primate mammalian red meat or meat-derived products, such as beef, pork, venison, and meat-derived products such as gelatin via allergen profile testing

This test is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists.

This test is not useful for patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

The presence of IgE antibodies against galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is associated with red meat allergy.

Individuals with IgE antibodies against alpha-gal might develop anaphylactic reactions to the drug cetuximab.

Specimen Requirements
Specimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Serum​Serum Separator Tube (SST)Red Top Tube (RTT)​1.5 mL
Collection Processing Instructions

​For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL
For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Serum ​​Refrigerated (preferred)​14 days
​Frozen​90 days
Interference

Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies in serum, and results must be interpreted in the clinical context.

False-positive results for IgE antibodies may occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE (>2500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding to allergen solid phases.

Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport AvailableMethodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​Monday through Friday​1 to 3 daysFluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)​
Reference Lab
Test Information

Immunoglobulin E antibodies to galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal), a carbohydrate commonly expressed on non-primate mammalian proteins, are capable of eliciting allergenic reactions.

Sensitization may occur through tick bites or exposure to the drug cetuximab. In the United States, individuals bitten by Amblyomma americanum, also known as the Lone Star tick, may develop IgE antibodies to alpha-gal, although sensitization to alpha-gal through other tick species has also been implicated.(1) The Lone Star tick was historically localized to the southern and southeastern United States but has now expanded its range into the central Midwest and northwards along the eastern seaboard. It is thought to be responsible for most cases of alpha-gal sensitization in the United States. The tick species that appears to be responsible for these responses in France is Ixodes ricinus, while in Australia it is Ixodes holocyclus.(2,3,4)

Signs and symptoms of an alpha-gal allergic reaction are often delayed compared with other food allergies. Upon exposure of sensitized subjects to non-primate mammalian meat (eg, beef, pork, venison) or meat-derived product such as gelatin, a delayed allergic response may ensue, often 3 to 6 hours after ingestion. Symptoms can include urticaria, angioedema, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, vomiting, and even anaphylactic shock.

Individuals who have antibodies produced against alpha-gal following a tick bite or previous exposure to the drug cetuximab may experience anaphylaxis when given cetuximab. Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody, which contains an alpha-gal epitope on the antigen binding fragment (Fab fragment) of the monoclonal drug. Unlike the delayed onset anaphylaxis associated with red meat consumption, individuals with IgE antibody response to alpha-gal can experience immediate onset anaphylaxis upon intravenous cetuximab administration.

Although most sensitizations to alpha-gal occur later in life, children who develop IgE antibodies to alpha-gal may also experience anaphylaxis and urticaria 3 to 6 hours after eating mammalian meat. Unlike their adult counterparts, who frequently present with anaphylaxis, the majority of children with this syndrome present with urticaria. Alpha-gal can also be found in mammalian milk, including both cow and goat milk.

In vitro serum testing for IgE antibodies provides an indication of the immune response to allergens that may be associated with allergic disease.

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
ClassIgE kU/LInterpretation
0<0.10Negative
0/10.10-0.34Borderline/equivocal
10.35-0.69Equivocal
20.70-3.49Positive
33.50-17.4Positive
417.5-49.9Strongly positive
550.0-99.9Strongly positive
6> or =100Strongly positive

Concentrations > or =0.70 Ku/L (Class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high​
Reference values apply to all ages.

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 that may be 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.

Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
​86003​4

​​
​86008

​1
Synonyms/Keywords

​Galactose IgE
Galactose-alpha-1,3
Alpha-Gal

Test Components

​Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE; Beef, IgE; Pork, IgE; Lamb, IgE; Milk, IgE

Ordering Applications
Ordering ApplicationDescription
​Cerner​Allergen, Panel Alph-Gal (APGAL)
​COM​Allergen Panel, Alpha-Gal (APGAL)
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen TypePreferred Container/TubeAcceptable Container/TubeSpecimen VolumeSpecimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)
Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​Serum​Serum Separator Tube (SST)Red Top Tube (RTT)​1.5 mL
Collection Processing

​For 1 allergen: 0.3 mL
For more than 1 allergen: (0.05 mL x number of allergens) + 0.25 mL deadspace

Specimen Stability Information
Specimen TypeTemperatureTime
​Serum ​​Refrigerated (preferred)​14 days
​Frozen​90 days
Interference

Some individuals with clinically insignificant sensitivity to allergens may have measurable levels of IgE antibodies in serum, and results must be interpreted in the clinical context.

False-positive results for IgE antibodies may occur in patients with markedly elevated serum IgE (>2500 kU/L) due to nonspecific binding to allergen solid phases.

Useful For

As an aid in diagnosis of an IgE mediated hypersensitivity allergy to non-primate mammalian red meat or meat-derived products, such as beef, pork, venison, and meat-derived products such as gelatin via allergen profile testing

This test is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists.

This test is not useful for patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.

The presence of IgE antibodies against galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) is associated with red meat allergy.

Individuals with IgE antibodies against alpha-gal might develop anaphylactic reactions to the drug cetuximab.

Test Components

​Galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose, IgE; Beef, IgE; Pork, IgE; Lamb, IgE; Milk, IgE

Reference Range Information
Performing LocationReference Range
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories
ClassIgE kU/LInterpretation
0<0.10Negative
0/10.10-0.34Borderline/equivocal
10.35-0.69Equivocal
20.70-3.49Positive
33.50-17.4Positive
417.5-49.9Strongly positive
550.0-99.9Strongly positive
6> or =100Strongly positive

Concentrations > or =0.70 Ku/L (Class 2 and above) will flag as abnormally high​
Reference values apply to all ages.

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 that may be 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.

For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing LocationDay(s) Test PerformedReport AvailableMethodology/Instrumentation
​Mayo Clinic Laboratories​Monday through Friday​1 to 3 daysFluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA)​
Reference Lab
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPTModifier
(if needed)
QuantityDescriptionComments
​86003​4

​​
​86008

​1
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.