How ELISA Kits Help Specialists To Diagnose Diseases Quicker And More Efficiently

By Jocelyn Davidson


Even medical experts find it difficult to keep pace with the rapid advances that are made in the various medical fields. The development of diagnostic tests and procedures receive a lot of attention. This is because the prognosis is just so much better if a disease can be diagnosed early. The treatment is less invasive and the chances of success are much higher. ELISA kits have proven to be an efficient, economic and quick way in which to diagnose a wide variety of conditions.

The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, or EIA as it is known for short is performed in a laboratory. The test is easy to run and many tests can be performed at the same time. The purpose of the test is to measure the concentration of both antigens and antibodies in the blood sample. The ability to measure this concentration is a very important part of the diagnostic process.

Antibodies are protein substances that are produced by the body when it detects the presence of dangerous substances. The dangerous substances are called antigens. When antibodies are detected by means of the EIA test, it follows logically that there must be antigens too. The exact identity of the antigens can be determined by identifying the type of antibody in the sample. In this way a diagnosis can be made confidently.

The administration of the test is quick and painless. All that is required from the patient is a small blood sample. The sample is taken to a laboratory where it is added to a series of petri dishes that were prepared with different antigens. The antibodies can be identified when they react to specific antigens. The further reactions between the two agents are then studied by adding enzymes.

There are different forms of the EIA test, ranging from very simple to extremely complex. Different kits are used for the different forms of the test. With the direct EIA test, for example, the antigen is first covered with a multiwall plate. In this case the antibody in the blood sample will only react with the antigen if specific enzymes are added.

With the indirect EIA test polystyrene plate is used to cover the antigen. This allows the technician to process the test in two distinct stages before the antibody will be able to identify the antigen and react with it. During each stage it is possible to identify both primary and secondary antibodies. The benefit of this ability is that it saves money and time.

Matched pairs of antibodies are used in the processing of the sandwich EIA test. In this case one of the antibodies is coated with polystyrene while the second one acts as a detecting agent. This test is performed when it is deemed necessary to determine the concentration of analytes in the sample. It is extremely accurate and can even detect diseases that have not manifested yet.

There can be little doubt that EIA test is an important tool that can help doctors to quickly and effectively diagnose a variety of diseases. The fact that the test even allow for the diagnosis of latent diseases means that many lives can be saved and treatment can be offered when there is still a good chance of success.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment