What is an ELISA test?
An ELISA test uses components of the immune system and chemicals to sense the immune responses in the body (for example, presence of foreign invaders). The ELISA test involves an enzyme (a protein that catalyzes a biochemical reaction). It also involves an antibody or antigen (immunologic molecules).
What is the use of an ELISA test?
ELISA tests are widely used to detect substances that have antigenic properties, primarily proteins. The substances that can be detected by ELISA tests include hormones, bacterial antigens and antibodies. It can also be an analytical tool in medicine and plant pathology, as well as a quality control check in various industries.
What are the advantages of ELISA?
- Accurate tests
-highly sensitive
-specific and compare favorably with other methods used to detect substances in the body, such as radioimmune assay (RIA) tests.
- Not needing radioisotopes (radioactive substances) or a costly radiation counter (a radiation-counting apparatus).
Examples of ELISA test
o screening donated blood for evidence of viral contamination by
-- HIV-1 and HIV-2 (presence of anti-HIV antibodies)
o measuring hormone levels
-- LH (determining the time of ovulation)
o detecting infections
-- sexually-transmitted agents like HIV, syphilis, and Chlamydia
o measuring toxins in contaminated food
www.medicinenet.com/elisa_tests/article.htm
http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/E/Elisa.html
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