HeMe #3 | Page 34

ELISA ELISA-Enzyme-linked immunoassay-, which is a very important diagnostic method in many of the diseases. This ELISA uses the components of the immune system and chemical substance to detect the immunological changes or response in the body. It involves the immunological molecules either the antibody or antigen. The main aim of the usage of ELISA involves the detection of substances that have antigenic properties, i.e., proteins. Hence, the ELISA detects hormones, bacterial antigens and antibodies. This ELISA can be used to identify either the antigen or the antibody. There are three types of ELISA available. They are indirect ELISA, sandwich ELISA and the competitive ELISA. These ELISA very helpful in detecting serum antibody levels for HIV and west Nile virus. It can also be used in food industry to detect food allergens or it can be used in toxicology screening.