MICROARRAY TECHNOLOGY

Allergy is defined as an immune response by the body to a substance to which it has become hypersensitive. Allergies are typically divided into 2 categories: environmental and food.

Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to harmless substances and repeated exposure to allergens will lead to inflammation, which can cause both immediate symptoms as well as chronic problems.

Allergies are expressed in the immune system by immunoglobulin E (lgE) and its detection.

MICROARRAY TECHNOLOGY

The microarray is a cornerstone technology for measuring a very large number of genes simultaneously with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Using the power of microarray technology as a testing platform helps overcome the many limitations of ELISA (Enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay) technology which is also used for allergy testing.

The performance characteristics of the protein microarray testing is ideally suited for allergen specific IgE (Immunoglobin E) proteins and has been recognized as the next generation for allergy testing. Our testing that we provide to a clinician has a comprehensive profiles test for common environmental allergens and food allergens are from a single spot of dried blood.

The power of the microarray technology does not require the enzymatic enhancement of the protein IgE-allergen binding signal. Therefore, it is possible to detect and measure the actual amount of IgE binding, resulting in a true report of allergic sensitivity.

By running all allergens simultaneously in triplicate, including positive and negative controls, well-to-well variability is eliminated. This further enables highly precise quantification of the relative sensitivity to each of the allergens. In effect, it is a personalized heat map of allergic sensitivity.

ADVANTAGES OF MICROARRAY

Convenience of Blood Collection Kits:

Using our blood collection kit in the clinician’s office requires four spots of blood to be collected from a simple finger stick. There is no need to draw several tubes of blood from the arm and ship overnight with an ice pack.

Increased Compliance:

Collection of the blood sample in the clinician’s office assures 100% patient compliance. No separate appointment and/or visit to the lab for blood collection by a phlebotomist is necessary.

Speed to Report:
Enhanced kinetics of the biochip accelerates binding and the speed of test processing, resulting in efficient work flow and turnaround times superior to ELISA systems.

Accuracy:
Each patient sample is tested for all allergens simultaneously in triplicate, with positive and negative controls, for unsurpassed precision and accuracy. The dramatic test redundancy of the microarray platform enables high sensitivity and specificity values that are >90%.

Positive/Negative Predictive Values:
The high specificity and sensitivity of the microarray food & inhalant allergens and Total IgE delivers superior positive/negative predictive values to clinicians.

THE VALUE OF: A POSITIVE ALLERGIC RESULT

1-Identity specific allergens to reduce exposure
2-Formulate an appropriate therapy plan based on objective evidence indicating an allergic cause
3-Decide if and when referral is appropriate

THE VALUE OF: A NEGATIVE ALLERGIC RESULT

1-Rule out allergies and get to the underlying cause
2-Formulate an appropriate treatment plan based on objective evidence indicating a non-allergic cause
3-Decide if and when referral is appropriate

Test results will help with a patient’s care of plan Positive specific IgE test results

1-Rule in/out atopy as the cause of allergic symptoms
2-Select appropriate targeted treatments for allergic or non-allergic conditions
3-Educate the patient for the need to reduce exposure to the relevant allergens based on the patient’s documented sensitization
4-Encourage patient’s compliance with targeted immunotherapy and medications to achieve symptom relief

Negative specific IgE test results

1-Allows provider to explore other possible symptom causes and rule out allergies
2-Use appropriate medications to address non-allergic conditions
3-Encourage patient’s compliance with appropriate medications to achieve symptom relief

Instructions

Complete Requisition Form:
Attach the front and back copy of patient insurance card and driver’s license
Collect Patient Sample:
Clean finger with alcohol pad and use lancet to nick finger
Apply Blood to Collection Card:
Fill all four circles completely with blood past the lines. On the back of the blood card, write the patient name and DOB
Mail Back in Envelope Provided:
Once blood is dry, place blood card, requisition form, copy of patient insurance card and driver’s in the supplied envelope and drop it in the mail

MICROARRAY TECHNOLOGY