Tryptase – serum
Last updated: Wednesday, 31, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 5 mL blood in plain tube. The samples should be obtained within 6 hours of the event under investigation, with 1-2 hours being optimal. Post-mortem blood is also suitable, if collected within 4 days of death, provided that death did not follow the event by less than 30 minutes. |
| Method | Immunoassay. |
| Reference Interval | <13 u/mL. |
| Application | To identify anaphylaxis as a cause of collapse, hypotension or death, eg, during anaesthesia, after insect sting, administration of drugs or biological agents (eg, desensitisation vaccines). For follow up of mastocytosis. |
| Interpretation | Increased tryptase levels indicate mast cell degranulation with mediator release, thereby demonstrating an allergic basis for the reaction. A negative result does not exclude an allergic basis especially with anaphylaxis following food ingestion. |
| Reference | Tang AW. Am Fam Physician 2003; 68(7): 1325-1332. |