Blood draw
Rabbit allergy (IgE rabbit)
Measures IgE antibodies against rabbit allergen. For anyone who gets symptoms around a rabbit, when cleaning the hutch or when working with lab animals.
€ 36,00
All tests
Allergy and intolerance · Blood
IgE antibodies to rabbit
Antibodies against rabbit allergen; shows whether the immune system is sensitive to rabbits, not whether you get symptoms from them.
At a glance
- Measured in blood
- In 2 test panels
- No special preparation
Explanation
IgE antibodies to rabbit: what is measured?
Rabbits spread allergens through their dander, hair, saliva and urine. These allergens end up in the air and in the straw or hay of the hutch. This test measures the amount of IgE antibodies against skin cells (epithelium) of rabbits in the blood, in kU/l. Rabbit allergens are partly similar to those of other mammals, so antibodies against cat, for example, can also give a positive result in this test.
What can it detect?
- Sensitization to rabbits: the body has made IgE antibodies against rabbit allergen
- A starting point with symptoms that occur around a rabbit, when cleaning the hutch or when working with laboratory animals
Result
What does the result mean?
IgE antibodies to rabbit too high
A value above the cut-off means that you have IgE antibodies against this allergen: sensitization. That is not the same as an allergy. If you keep getting symptoms that fit an allergy shortly after contact with the allergen, a positive result fits an allergy to this allergen. A positive result can also come from a cross-reaction: antibodies against a related allergen then also recognize this allergen, without it giving you symptoms. In people without symptoms, a positive result only means that the antibodies are there; no treatment follows. The level of the value says little about how severe the symptoms are.
IgE antibodies to rabbit too low
A value below the cut-off means that no IgE antibodies against this allergen were found. An IgE-mediated allergy to this allergen is then much less likely, although it is not completely ruled out. Symptoms can also come from another allergen that was not tested, or have a non-allergic cause.
After an abnormal result
The GP mainly looks at the history: when and where the symptoms occur. With a positive result and matching symptoms, the main advice is to have as little contact as possible with the rabbit and the hutch; sometimes it is necessary to find another home for the animal. If needed, medication for the nose, eyes or airways follows, and with symptoms that are not brought under control with this, a referral to an ENT specialist, lung specialist or allergist may follow.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
A positive IgE result shows sensitization, not allergy: it only says that there are antibodies, not that you get symptoms from them. The Dutch medical specialists' guideline (FMS) on upper airway allergy says this literally and recommends choosing a test for single allergens based on the history of the symptoms; for food allergy, the FMS guideline on food challenge testing calls the history of the symptoms the cornerstone of diagnosis and a food challenge in hospital the gold standard. The result therefore only means something if it fits when, where and after contact with what you get symptoms. A positive result without symptoms is not treated.
What can affect the result?
- Sensitization without symptoms is common; the result can only be interpreted together with the history of the symptoms.
- Related allergens can recognize each other's antibodies (cross-reaction), for example pollen and nuts or fruit; a positive result then does not mean that this particular allergen causes the symptoms.
- The test measures all proteins from the allergen source together; testing for individual proteins (components) can say more in case of doubt.
- Laboratories use different measurement methods and cut-off values; results from different labs cannot be compared one to one.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
Useful with symptoms that occur near a rabbit or when cleaning the hutch: sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, coughing or shortness of breath. Also for people who work with rabbits professionally. Symptoms when cleaning the hutch can also come from hay or dust; a test for grass pollen or house dust mite then sometimes says more. In people without such symptoms, the test adds nothing: sensitization without symptoms is not a disease and is not treated.
How common is it?
Rabbits are, besides cats and dogs, commonly kept pets, and pet allergy is a well-known cause of nose and eye symptoms. Allergy to rabbits and rodents is also a known occupational risk for people who work with laboratory animals. Sensitization is more common than the allergy itself.
Thuisarts.nl; no Dutch prevalence figure has been checked
Get tested
IgE antibodies to rabbit: test panels
IgE antibodies to rabbit is part of these test panels. You order online and have your blood drawn at a collection point or collect the sample at home.
Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and results- NVKC, allesovertesten.nl: Allergie (RAST)
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase: Allergie van de bovenste luchtwegen, module Aanvullende diagnostiek
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase: Voedselprovocatie, module Plaatsbepaling diagnostiek voedselallergie
- Thuisarts.nl: Ik heb allergie
- Thuisarts.nl: Ik heb lange tijd of vaak neusklachten door een allergie
More explanations
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