Allergy and intolerance
IgE antilichamen cavia
Antibodies against guinea pig allergen; shows whether the immune system is sensitive to guinea pigs, not whether you get symptoms.
Everything about this testWhat it measures
Guinea pigs spread allergens through their dander, hair, saliva and urine. These allergens end up in the air and in the hay and bedding of the cage. This test measures the amount of IgE antibodies against guinea pig skin cells (epithelium) in the blood, in kU/l. The body only makes these antibodies after it has previously been in contact with the allergen; this is called sensitization. Guinea pig allergens are partly similar to those of other small mammals, so antibodies against, for example, rabbit or hamster can also give a positive result with this test.
- Sensitization to guinea pigs: the body has made IgE antibodies against guinea pig allergen
- A lead with symptoms that occur around a guinea pig, when cleaning the cage or when working with laboratory animals
High
A value above the cut-off means that you have IgE antibodies against guinea pig allergen: sensitization. That is not the same as an allergy. In people who get symptoms when caring for a guinea pig or cleaning the cage, such as sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, a skin rash or shortness of breath, a positive result fits an allergy to guinea pigs. According to the Longfonds (Dutch lung foundation), symptoms around animals often start within a few minutes, but sometimes only hours later. In people without such symptoms, a positive result only means that the antibodies are there; no treatment follows.
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.
If your result is abnormal
The GP mainly looks at the history: when and where the symptoms occur. With a positive result and matching symptoms, the most important advice is to have as little contact as possible with the guinea pig and the cage; sometimes it is necessary to find a new home for the animal. With symptoms caused by work, the occupational health doctor can look at measures at work. If needed, medication for the nose, eyes or airways follows, and with symptoms that are not brought under control this way, a referral to an ENT specialist, lung specialist or allergist may follow.
Reliability
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.
Limitations
- 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.
How common is this
According to the Longfonds (Dutch lung foundation), besides cats and dogs you can also react to rabbits and other pets; guinea pigs are common pets. The Dutch medical specialists' guideline (FMS) on work-related asthma lists allergens from (laboratory) animals as a cause of asthma from work. Sensitization is more common than the allergy itself.
Who is this useful for
Useful with symptoms that occur near a guinea pig or when cleaning the cage: sneezing, a blocked or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, coughing or shortness of breath. Also for people who work with guinea pigs, such as in a laboratory, pet shop or petting farm. Symptoms when cleaning the cage 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.
Sources
- 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
- Longfonds: Huisdieren
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase: Werkgerelateerd astma, module Diagnostiek
Always discuss an abnormal result with your GP. If a result is strongly abnormal, we try to reach you as soon as possible. Read your result yourself as well and contact your GP if in doubt. A test does not make a diagnosis. Read more about risks and results