ALEX3 - Comprehensive Allergy Test for 300 Allergens

ALEX3 test – an advanced tool for molecular allergy diagnostics and the fastest diagnostic method available

Molecular testing is becoming increasingly important in allergology, as it allows for a precise assessment of how the organism reacts to individual components of an allergen. Such a detailed analysis makes it possible to determine an allergy profile, estimate the risk of systemic reactions, as well as precisely select treatment and immunotherapy.

What is ALEX3 test?

It is a modern allergy test carried out on a blood sample. The test enables simultaneous and quantitative measurement of IgE antibody concentration against 300 allergens, including food, inhalant, contact and insect venom allergens, as well as total IgE. Specific IgE (sIgE) are antibodies produced by the immune system in response to contact with an allergen.

The panel includes 218 precisely defined molecular components and 82 allergen extracts – practically all of the most common allergens. This allows for an exceptionally accurate assessment of the patient's individual allergy profile.

The test identifies specific proteins in a given allergen that are responsible for allergic reactions. Instead of simply stating that the patient is allergic to peanuts, a blood test can precisely determine which protein in the peanut may cause a reaction. This knowledge helps the doctor assess whether there is a risk of a severe systemic reaction.

What does ALEX3 test detect?

ALEX3 test detects the level of sIgE antibodies against:

• tree pollen;
• grass pollen;
• weed pollen;
• house dust mites;
• mould and yeast;
• food allergens (fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts, milk, eggs, various types of meat, seafood and even spices);
• fish parasites;
• hymenoptera insects;
• cockroaches;
• pets and farm animals.

ALEX3 test is also able to detect less common but clinically significant types of allergies. As a result, the doctor can more accurately assess the cause of the symptoms and select a more effective treatment.

When should you undergo Alex3 test?

Get tested if you know that you need to:

• assess the risk of severe allergic reactions, e.g. those occurring in food allergies;
• select the appropriate desensitisation treatment for inhalant and insect venom allergies;
• determine whether the symptoms result from contact with a specific allergen or from a reaction to similar molecules (cross-reactions);
• assess whether there is a chance of acquiring tolerance to a given allergen, e.g. in children.

Get tested, especially if:

• you suspect multiple allergies – i.e. you react to many allergens and it is difficult to determine which ones are clinically significant;
• the results of skin tests or classic serological tests are inconclusive;
• you suspect a cross-reaction;
• there has been a severe allergic reaction of unknown cause, e.g. anaphylaxis after a meal;
• diagnosis is taking a long time and is not effective, e.g. in the diagnosis of food allergies with an unclear course, especially when the symptoms are non-specific or appear after consuming different products and an elimination diet is not effective;
• you want to undergo qualification for specific immunotherapy – Alex3 test allows you to identify the right allergen for desensitisation;
• skin tests cannot be carried out (e.g. due to skin diseases);
• you have atopic dermatitis and the symptoms do not correlate with the results of previous tests – allergies that are not detected by standard tests may be then revealed;
• the risk of complicated allergic reactions needs to be assessed – some components (e.g. Ara h 2, Cor a 9, Bet v 1) enable the potential severity of symptoms to be predicted.

Dlaczego warto wybrać ALEX³?

• High level of accuracy – molecular tests are more accurate than extract-based (skin) tests, making it possible to determine an individual allergen reactivity profile;
• High level of detail thanks to the identification of multiple allergen sources, which is extremely important not only when recommending immunotherapy, but also in allergen avoidance strategies:
  • 300 allergens in one test, simultaneous quantitative measurement of sIgE (specific, directed against a particular allergen) and total IgE concentration;
  • 55 new allergens, new protein groups;
  • new allergic syndromes to be diagnosed: Celery–Mugwort–Spice syndrome – allergic reactions in patients suffering from mugwort pollen allergy after eating certain vegetables (e.g. celery, carrots) and spices; casein allergy – the main allergen in cow's milk, often responsible for severe symptoms after consuming milk and dairy products, even after heat treatment; new molecular diagnostics, including for legumes (peas – Pis s 1-3, lentils – Len c 1.3) and fruits (bananas – Mus a 2.5, peaches – Pru p 7);
  • 107 unique allergens;
  • over 140 of the most significant sources of allergens.
• Support in determining whether symptoms result from allergies to multiple allergens (polysensitisation) originating from several independent sources or from cross-reactions. This helps the doctor select the appropriate immunotherapy;
• Reliability. Each ALEX3 test has a CCD blocker, which reduces the possibility of false positive results and increases the accuracy of the test (CCD, or Cross-reactive Carbohydrate Determinants, which are found in many allergens. In some people, CCDs lead to the production of specific IgE, which is not associated with the occurrence of allergy symptoms, but can lead to test results being positive);
• No time restrictions – the test can be carried out at any time of the year, even in the case of seasonal allergies, as it does not require contact with the allergen at the time of testing (there is no need to wait for the pollen season, for example);
• Small blood sample. Only a small amount of serum is required for the test (just 100 µl of serum or plasma, including from capillary blood), which makes it easier to carry out the test on children;
• For everyone. The test can be carried out regardless of age (there is no specific age limit), skin condition, use of antihistamines or pregnancy. The test can also be performed on infants, but due to the immaturity of their immune system, the results may change over time. This does not mean that the result is unreliable, but only reflects the condition at the time of testing. As children grow and develop tolerance to various antigens, this condition may change. The result is always related to the patient's clinical symptoms.

How to prepare for ALEX3 test

Only a blood sample taken from a vein is needed to carry out ALEX3 test. The test does not require any special preparation – fasting or discontinuing regular medication is not necessary.

The ALEX3 test result should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical symptoms. A negative result does not rule out allergy, as the test does not contain allergens from all possible allergen sources. A positive result, on the other hand, indicates the presence of IgE antibodies, but does not in itself determine the occurrence of symptoms.