For patients who have both precipitating antibody specific for bird antigens and the symptoms and the clinical findings for pneumonitis, a diagnosis of Bird fancier's lung disease may be appropriate.
Gold serum separator (SST) tube
Immediately following collection, mix sample by gently inverting 5 times
Ambient (preferred)
Frozen (OK)
ImmunoCap - IgE & Gel diffusion
See report
It is important to recognize that a positive serology alone cannot be used to establish the diagnosis of HP or Bird fancier's lung without the appropriate clinical findings and exposure history. In patients who lack the symptoms of HP but who have precipitating antibody (usually IgG) the serology can be taken to document significant exposure to bird antigens. Although the gel diffusion methods may be less sensitive than new methods, such as the ELISA tests for these bird antigens, it may be more specific.