This assay is used for the quantitative determination of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) in human serum and plasma. IgE plays a key role in allergic reactions (type 1 hypersensitivity) and in the immune response to parasitic infections. Elevated IgE levels are commonly associated with allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever, and dermatitis but can also be seen in parasitic infections, HIV, immunodeficiency syndromes, and other diseases. IgE is the least abundant antibody in serum and varies with age. While high levels support the presence of atopic conditions, normal IgE levels do not rule out allergy, so results should be interpreted with clinical findings. Common testing methods include ELISA, chemiluminescence, and immunofluorescence.
