Medical science advances at an astonishing pace on all fronts. The area of diagnostics is one particular field where great efforts are made to devise tests and procedures that can help doctors to diagnose diseases quicker and more accurately. This is important because successful treatment often depends upon an early diagnosis. ELISA kits, for example, have empowered doctors to efficiently detect a wide range of diseases.
Also known as enzyme immunoassay, or EIA for short, this laboratory technique is used to measure the concentration of antibodies or antigens in a solution, normally a blood sample. The ability to determine these concentrations is extremely important in the diagnostic process. Among the main advantages of this technique, when compared with others, is that it is very easy to carry out and a large number of tests can be processed simultaneously.
The importance of being able to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens cannot be overemphasized. Antibodies are proteins that the body produces when a harmful substance in the body is detected. These harmful substances are called antigens. By being able to identify the type of antibody produced by the body, physicians can accurately determine the type of harmful antigens that triggered the production of the antibodies.
Patients need not fear this simple test. It only entails the drawing of a small blood sample. This sample is then added to specific antigens in a petri dish. If there is a reaction between the blood sample and the antigen, then the presence of antibodies is confirmed. In fact, the antibodies will combine with the antigens. By adding enzymes it is possible to determine the amount of the antibodies in the sample.
Diagnosticians can get a lot of information form even the most basic EIA test. However, there are several versions or formats of the test and some are much more complex. The direct EIA, for example, requires that the antigen is screened with a multiwall coat. This makes it more difficult for the antibody to recognize the antigen. A result can only be obtained if the antibody is joined with a specific enzyme.
Then there is the indirect EIA test. In this case the antigen is covered with a polystyrene plate that can only be detected in two distinct stages. The main advantage of this format of the test is that it offers increased sensitivity. Both primary and secondary antibodies can be identified. This entails cost savings and it may even eliminate the need for further tests.
In the case of yet another type of EIA test, the sandwich test, pairs of antibodies are tested. The first antibody is covered with a polystyrene plate. The next antibody is then added in order to determine the concentration of the analyte. This is a complicated procedure but it is extremely accurate and flexible.
Nobody will deny the fact that diseases are easier and cheaper to treat if they can be diagnosed at an early stage. Tests such as the EIA help doctors to do just this. Conditions such as HIV, pernicious anemia, syphilis, and many others have been diagnosed early enough to save the lives of the patient, all thanks to this amazing procedure.
Also known as enzyme immunoassay, or EIA for short, this laboratory technique is used to measure the concentration of antibodies or antigens in a solution, normally a blood sample. The ability to determine these concentrations is extremely important in the diagnostic process. Among the main advantages of this technique, when compared with others, is that it is very easy to carry out and a large number of tests can be processed simultaneously.
The importance of being able to detect the presence of antibodies or antigens cannot be overemphasized. Antibodies are proteins that the body produces when a harmful substance in the body is detected. These harmful substances are called antigens. By being able to identify the type of antibody produced by the body, physicians can accurately determine the type of harmful antigens that triggered the production of the antibodies.
Patients need not fear this simple test. It only entails the drawing of a small blood sample. This sample is then added to specific antigens in a petri dish. If there is a reaction between the blood sample and the antigen, then the presence of antibodies is confirmed. In fact, the antibodies will combine with the antigens. By adding enzymes it is possible to determine the amount of the antibodies in the sample.
Diagnosticians can get a lot of information form even the most basic EIA test. However, there are several versions or formats of the test and some are much more complex. The direct EIA, for example, requires that the antigen is screened with a multiwall coat. This makes it more difficult for the antibody to recognize the antigen. A result can only be obtained if the antibody is joined with a specific enzyme.
Then there is the indirect EIA test. In this case the antigen is covered with a polystyrene plate that can only be detected in two distinct stages. The main advantage of this format of the test is that it offers increased sensitivity. Both primary and secondary antibodies can be identified. This entails cost savings and it may even eliminate the need for further tests.
In the case of yet another type of EIA test, the sandwich test, pairs of antibodies are tested. The first antibody is covered with a polystyrene plate. The next antibody is then added in order to determine the concentration of the analyte. This is a complicated procedure but it is extremely accurate and flexible.
Nobody will deny the fact that diseases are easier and cheaper to treat if they can be diagnosed at an early stage. Tests such as the EIA help doctors to do just this. Conditions such as HIV, pernicious anemia, syphilis, and many others have been diagnosed early enough to save the lives of the patient, all thanks to this amazing procedure.
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