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

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.

When there are antibodies present in a blood sample it means that the body has produced them to counteract the effects of a harmful substance, called antigens. If there are antibodies present, it is certain that there are also antigens because the antibodies are only produced when a threat is detected. By identifying the specific type of antibody produced by the body it is also possible to determine the exact nature of the threat.

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.

One of the most accurate tests is called the sandwich EIA test. In this test matched pairs of antibodies are utilized. One of the antibodies is coated with polystyrene and the other one is used as an agent for detection. One of the main advantages of this form of the test is that the concentration of analytes can be determined accurately. This can help in diagnosing latent diseases that cannot easily be done with other tests.

The EIA test is so popular with medical experts because it is versatile, quick and very accurate. The test is easy to administer and to process too. Patients benefit because their conditions can be diagnoses at an earlier stage. This makes treatment easier and it improves the prognosis.




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