How ELISA Kits Help Save Lives While Saving Money At The Same Time

By Jocelyn Davidson


In the medical field, new medicines, treatment methods and procedures are introduced at such a dazzling pace that even medical experts struggle to stay up to date. In the field of diagnostics many advances have also been made. If a disease can be diagnosed during its early stages it is easier to treat and the chances of success are much better. ELISA kits have proven to be a major breakthrough. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay enables diagnosticians to recognize certain conditions quickly.

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.

The EIA is deemed revolutionary because it is vital to be able to detect the presence of antibodies and antigens. When the body detects a harmful substance within the system it produces antibodies. The very fact that there are antibodies present means that there are harmful substances. These dangerous elements are called antigens. By identifying the type of antibody produced by the body, doctors can also determine the exact nature of the antigen that triggered the production of the antibodies.

Patients experience no pain when the test is administered. A small quantity of blood is taken and then sent to a laboratory where a technician has already prepared a number of petri dishes, each containing a different antigen. The blood sample is then added to the dishes. If the antibodies in the blood samples react to any of the antigens they can be identified.

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.

The indirect EIA test saves time and money because it is able to identify both secondary and primary antibodies during the same test cycle. Savings are achieved because the test often negates the need for other tests. In this case the antigens are coated with polystyrene and they can only be detected by the antibodies after two carefully manages stages.

The sandwich EIA test requires the antibodies to be matched in pairs. The first one is covered with polystyrene and the role of the second antibody is to act as a detection agent. The main purpose of this test is to find out what the concentration of the analyte is. It is an extremely accurate test and can be used to diagnose latent diseases.

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.




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