In: Biology
Will this sandwich ELISA be useful for someone who has recently been infected? Why or why not ?
ELISA is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. It is used for the detection of protein in a given sample on the basis of antigen antibody interaction. The presence of a protein is finally determined by a change in the colour of the final solution.
Both antigen and antibody are protein molecules. Both of them are complementary to each other. ELISA is specifically used to detect antibodies present in the sample of an individual. Antibodies are formed in an individual only when he is exposed to microbial antigens. But these antibodies are not immediately formed after the exposure of antigen. They are formed after sometime and the concentration of these antibodies is initially very low. So at this stage, the presence of antibodies may remain undetected by ELISA. ELISA is more reliable when the concentration of antibodies is more in a given sample and this can be done after a few days of antigen exposure.
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