How ELISA Kits Helps Physicians To Diagnose Disease

By Harriet Porter


One of the most important fields of study in medical science is to develop new and improved ways in which to diagnose diseases. The earlier a disease can be diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Early diagnosis also improves the prognosis. This is why so many scientists concentrate upon the development of new and more efficient tests. One such test that has proven to be invaluable is the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. With ELISA kits doctors can now diagnose various conditions easily and efficiently.

This revolutionary technique, also known as EIA, or enzyme immunoassay, is conducted in a laboratory. It is used to determine the concentration of antigens or antibodies in a specific sample. The presence and concentration of antibodies is an important indication of the presence of a variety of medical conditions. The test is extremely popular because it is easy to do and many different tests can be processed at the same time.

The ability to identify the presence of either antibodies or antigens in the body is very important. This is because antigens are known to be harmful substances. As soon as the body recognizes the presence of antigens, it starts to produce antibodies to neutralize the harmful antigens. When either of these agents is present in a sample, the existence of a disease can be deduced logically.

The administration of the test is straight forward and painless. A small blood sample is taken from the patient. This sample is then sent to the laboratory where the technician will add the blood sample to an antigen already present in a petri dish. If the blood sample contains antibodies to the antigen, the two substances will bind together. Enzymes are added and the reaction between the antibodies and the antigen is observed.

Diagnosticians can get a lot of information form even the most basic EIA test. However, there are several versions or formats of the test and some are much more complex. The direct EIA, for example, requires that the antigen is screened with a multiwall coat. This makes it more difficult for the antibody to recognize the antigen. A result can only be obtained if the antibody is joined with a specific enzyme.

The indirect IEA test is another example of how this protocol can be used in an advanced manner. In this instance the antigen is actually covered by a polystyrene plate. This forces the antibodies to go through two distinct stages before the antigen is detected. This test allows technicians to identify both primary and secondary antibodies. This is valuable because it may eliminate the need for further expensive tests.

The EIA sandwich test is considered to be suitable for complex samples, especially because the sample does not need to be purified prior to measurement. In this test antibodies are made up in pairs and compared with each other. The test is often done when both direct and indirect detection methods are required. It is an extremely accurate test and is done when serious diseases are suspected.

Nobody will deny the fact that diseases are easier and cheaper to treat if they can be diagnosed at an early stage. Tests such as the EIA help doctors to do just this. Conditions such as HIV, pernicious anemia, syphilis, and many others have been diagnosed early enough to save the lives of the patient, all thanks to this amazing procedure.




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