ELISA
Alternate Names : EIA, Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay
Definition
A rapid test where an antibody or antigen is linked to an enzyme as a means of detecting a match between the antibody and antigen.
This versatile test is widely used in the medical laboratory. It allows your health care provider to:
- test your blood with an antigen (e.g., virus or bacteria) to see if your immune system recognizes it as something it has seen before, or
- test your blood with an antibody to see if a particular substance like a hormone (an antigen) is present in your system.
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Why is the Test Performed?
This is a preliminary screening tool used to detect either the presence of antigen or antibody in your blood. It is frequently used to screen for present or past infections.
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