Does heat-treatment of patient sera influence the IgE test results?
When samples are heat-treated, some proteins undergo steric changes that can be irreversible or partly irreversible. Very high temperatures (boiling) can destroy the proteins completely. It is known that some parts of the IgE molecule (e.g. the receptor binding part) change their conformation during heat-treatment (56° C for 30 minutes). In ImmunoCAP tests for total IgE (tIgE) and allergen specific IgE (sIgE) stable epitopes of the IgE molecule are used for the anti-IgE antibody conjugate attachment. Mild heat treatment therefore has no influence on the IgE test results.
