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

By Jocelyn Davidson


One cannot help but to stand in awe of the rapid progress made in the medical field. New techniques and medicines are introduced at an astonishing rate. Of course, one of the main fields of research is diagnostics. No one will argue the fact that an early diagnosis ensures a better prognosis and lower treatment costs. ELISA kits, an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, allow doctors to diagnose a variety of conditions quickly and efficiently.

The EIA test, as it is also known, is used to analyze a sample of blood in order to determine the concentration of antibodies and antigens. It would be very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis if the concentration of the antigens and antibodies cannot be determined. Doctors favor this test because it is relatively easy to perform and the results are available quickly.

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.

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.

Diagnosticians can gain a wealth of information from the results of the EIA test. There are a number of different tests, however, each requiring a different kit. The more complex the test the more accurate and detailed the result. A simple test, such as the direct EIA test, produces fast results. The antigens are coated and the antibody will only recognize it if certain enzymes are present as well.

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.

Any test or procedure that can help physicians to diagnose a disease at an earlier stage can help save lives. The EIA test certainly enables the accurate and early diagnosis of a variety of conditions. This can help ensure that treatment programs are less invasive and that the prognosis is better.




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