Blood tests are elisa test result interpretation tools that allow doctors to interpret a variety of signals carried in the body by the various organs and systems. Among these important messages are ones that are sent in response to infections and diseases, such as Lyme disease, hepatitis, and HIV, as well as autoimmune conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is a laboratory testing technique that uses antibodies and antigens to check for the presence of these substances in fluid samples such as blood, pee, saliva or cerebrospinal fluid. These tests are also known as immunoassays and are similar to but different from radioimmunoassays which were used before ELISA was developed in the 1970s.

Common Challenges in ELISA Test Result Interpretation and How to Overcome Them

With ELISA, medical laboratory scientists or technicians first prepare the test system by coating a solid surface with the antigen that’s to be tested. Then they add a sample of the substance being tested to the plate and then cover it with a serum that contains an antibody that’s bound to a specific enzyme label such as horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or alkaline phosphatase (AP).

The color change that occurs when the antigens and antibodies come into contact is measured, and the intensity of the color is proportional to the concentration of the antigen in the sample. This information is then compared to data from the standard curve, which can be calculated on a graph of optical density versus log concentrations using software provided with the ELISA plate reader or on paper.