ELISA Full Form

The term ‘ELISA’ stands for Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. ELISA is a test that checks the presence of antibodies in the blood. The human body generates antibodies when any infection affects your body. The antibodies are made to protect your body from infections or antigens. If there is a presence of an antibody in your body, it means that you are affected by any infection. 

The human body is complex, and for that, the doctors also undergo tricky methods to fight the contaminations. With the ELISA abbreviation test, the doctors monitor the number of antibodies in your blood sample. No antibody in your blood means your body is not affected by any virus or bacteria. This is just a process of detecting the presence of antibodies produced by your immune system. 

Why is the ELISA Test Important? 

The doctors won’t be able to treat your disease properly unless it is detected. With the full form of the ELISA test, the kind of antibodies present in your body is revealed. Your body produces antibodies in response to the type of antigens. Once the doctors can detect the antigens, they can quickly point out the disease you are carrying. Most importantly, ELISA detects the disease in the first phase.

What are the Key Features of ELISA? 

ELISA test can easily detect the antigens as it is preferably sensitive. While having the Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay test, you can undergo multiple tests at a time as it can monitor plenty of specimens together. However, not every hospital can arrange an ELISA abbreviation test. It requires well-trained technicians and up-to-date infrastructure to conduct an ELISA test. 

The procedure of ELISA is not complicated as it involves neither radiation counter nor radioisotopes. There is no chance of a faulty result after the ELISA test. If you are suspect of being infected, undergo this quick process of the ELISA test. Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay test can point out the disease at the primary stage so that you will have a lot of time for the treatment. 

What are the Diseases that Can be Diagnosed by the ELISA Test? 

•  AIDS 

• Rotavirus 

• Toxoplasmosis 

• Lyme disease 

• Syphilis 

• Zika virus 

• Pernicious anemia 

ELISA is frequently used as a screening tool prior to the ordering of more in-depth tests. If you are experiencing signs or symptoms of any of the conditions listed above, your doctor may recommend this test. This test may also be ordered by your doctor if they want to rule out any of the conditions listed above. 

What if the Result of Your ELISA Test Comes Positive? 

Do not get panicked if the result of your ELISA abbreviation test comes positive. A positive ELISA test doesn’t really mean that the person is HIV positive. There are several minor diseases that cause that report to be positive. If you have been affected by syphilis or Lyme disease then also the report of your ELISA test will come positive. So it would be wise to consult a doctor for further treatment. 

Procedure for Conducting the ELISA Test

The ELISA test is straightforward and easy to perform. You'll almost certainly be required to sign a consent form, and your doctor should explain why the test is being performed. 

The ELISA test requires a sample of your blood to be drawn for analysis. First, your arm will be cleansed with an antiseptic by a healthcare professional. In order to create pressure and cause your veins to swell with blood, a tourniquet or band will be wrapped around your arm and fastened to your arm. 

Following that, a needle will be inserted into one of your veins in order to draw a small sample of your blood. When enough blood has been drawn, the needle will be removed and a small bandage will be applied to the area on your arm where the needle was previously located. For a few minutes after the needle has been inserted, you will be asked to maintain pressure at the site where the needle was inserted in order to reduce blood flow. 

Although this procedure should be relatively painless, your arm may throb for a short period of time after it is completed. 

A blood sample will be taken and sent to a laboratory for examination. In the lab, a technician will place the sample in a petri dish that contains the specific antigen associated with the condition for which you are being tested. The sample will then be tested. If you have antibodies to the antigen in your blood, the two will bind together and form a complex. The technician will verify this by adding an enzyme to a petri dish and watching how your blood and the antigen react with each other. 

If the colour of the contents of the dish changes, you may be suffering from the condition. The amount of change caused by the enzyme allows the technician to determine the presence and amount of antibodies in the sample. 

Is there a Risk of Something Happening? 

In this case, the risks associated with the test are extremely low. These are some examples:   

• Infection   

• Having a feeling of dizziness 

• Bruising  

• Increased bruising and bleeding 

Please inform your doctor prior to the test if you have ever had difficulty giving blood in the past, if you bruise easily, or if you have a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia (blood clotting disorder). 

What are the Implications of the Findings? 

The manner in which test results are reported varies depending on the laboratory that conducted the investigation. It also depends on the condition for which you're being tested, so be prepared for anything. Your doctor should talk to you about your test results and what they mean for you. A positive result may indicate that you do not have the condition in question. 

It is possible to get both false positives and false negatives. A false-positive test result indicates that you have a condition when you do not in fact have that condition. A false-negative result indicates that you do not have a condition when, in fact, you do have a condition. Consequently, you may be asked to repeat the ELISA in a couple of weeks. Alternatively, your physician might recommend additional, more sensitive tests to confirm or refute your findings.  

Is there Anything Else I Should Know? 

Although the test itself is straightforward, the anticipation of receiving results or being screened for diseases such as HIV can be extremely nerve-wracking experiences. It's important to remember that no one has the authority to compel you to take the examination. It is entirely up to you. Make certain that you are familiar with the laws in your state or the policies of the healthcare facility regarding the reporting of positive HIV results. 

Consult with your healthcare provider about the test. It is important to remember that diagnosing any possible infectious disease is the first step toward receiving treatment and protecting others from contracting the disease. 

Conclusion

This is all about the concept of the ELISA test and why it is performed. Gather knowledge regarding how this test is done and how it can detect different diseases. Understand how the doctors can implicate the results of this test.