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 importance of being able to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens cannot be overemphasized. Antibodies are proteins that the body produces when a harmful substance in the body is detected. These harmful substances are called antigens. By being able to identify the type of antibody produced by the body, physicians can accurately determine the type of harmful antigens that triggered the production of the antibodies.

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.

The EIA test provides a wealth of information, even when administered in its simplest form. However, more complex techniques can provide even better results. Different formats, or kits, are used for the different forms of the test. For example, in the direct EIA test the antigen is coated with a multiwall plate. The antibody can only detect it if the latter has been conjugated with an enzyme.

Another important variant of EIA is the indirect test. In this case two stages are engineered by covering the antigens in polystyrene plates. This is done to achieve increased sensitivity. Antibodies are introduced in primary and secondary stages. The test can produce multiple results which means that is saves cost and time. In many cases this test, which is more elaborate, eliminate the need for more tests.

The sandwich EIA test needs pairs of antibodies that are matched in pairs. The first antibody is coated with polystyrene. A second antibody then serves as the detection agent. The purpose of this test is to determine the concentration of the analyte. This test is extremely useful in the diagnosis of latent diseases and it is deemed to be highly accurate.

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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