From the Research
A negative Immunoglobulin E (IgE) test result for Cladosporium herbarum indicates that you likely do not have an allergic sensitivity to this specific mold. This means your immune system is not producing significant amounts of IgE antibodies in response to Cladosporium herbarum allergens. However, it's essential to understand that a negative test doesn't completely rule out the possibility of an allergy, as false negatives can occur 1. If you're experiencing allergy-like symptoms despite the negative test, your healthcare provider might recommend additional testing such as skin prick tests or testing for other potential allergens. The IgE test works by measuring the amount of specific IgE antibodies in your blood that your immune system produces in response to allergens. In allergic individuals, exposure to allergens like Cladosporium herbarum triggers the production of these antibodies, which then bind to mast cells and basophils, causing the release of histamine and other chemicals that produce allergy symptoms. A negative result suggests this immune response is not occurring specifically for Cladosporium herbarum in your body. Some studies have identified specific allergens of Cladosporium herbarum, such as NADP-dependent mannitol dehydrogenase 2 and a novel allergen structurally homologous to the alpha/beta hydrolase fold superfamily 3, but these do not change the interpretation of a negative IgE test result. It's also worth noting that other tests, like the skin prick test, can be used in conjunction with IgE testing to diagnose allergies 1. Overall, while a negative IgE test result is a good indicator of the absence of an allergy, it should be considered in the context of clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests.