?:definition
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Immunoassay reagents intended to perform qualitative and/or quantitative analyses of a sample of body fluids (e.g., serum) to determine quantitatively a particular (i.e., specific) immunoglobulin E antibody. These assays are mostly performed to find a patient\'s abnormal hypersensitivity to one specific substance (i.e., an allergen), such as food (e.g., milk, egg, peanut, fish) or inhalatory (e.g., cat hair, home dust, mite) allergens. IgE specific assays are performed when history and skin (prick) tests provide conflicting information or skin tests can not be performed; they are also used when specific desensitization is needed.
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