Enzyme immunoassay analyzer

ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA) is a laboratory immunological method for the detection of antigens and antibodies, which is based on the determination of the "antigen-antibody" complex by introducing an enzymatic label into one of the reaction components with its subsequent detection using an appropriate substrate that changes its color. The basis for any ELISA variant is the determination of the products of enzymatic reactions during the study of test samples compared with negative and positive controls. ELISA appeared in the mid-60s and was initially developed as a method for identifying antigens in histological preparations, as well as for visualizing precipitation lines in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis tests, and then began to be used for the quantitative determination of antigens and antibodies in biological fluids.

 

The modern world demonstrates the rapid development of diagnostic technologies, and significant progress has been achieved in recent decades, in particular in the Immunochemiluminescent assay (ICHE), which is a modern continuation of ELISA. This method belongs to highly sensitive microassays and combines a chemiluminescent system with an immune reaction. Chemiluminescent substances contain antibodies or antigens, react with the test samples, and after adding reagents, allow antigens or antibodies to be detected quantitatively or qualitatively. ICHE has been actively developing for over 30 years and is an effective alternative to radioactive methods and semi-automatic ELISA.

 

Advantages of ICHE

 

Chemiluminescent technology has a number of undeniable advantages, such as:

 

• a wide dynamic range, greater than that of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays;
• high sensitivity and specificity of results expressed in quantitative form;
• a high degree of automation and reduction of the time required for conducting research;
• the ability to conduct a large number of antibody tests (even different isotopes), aimed at a large number of antigen panel indicators;
• high sensitivity, which is the key to improving the performance of the IHLPA analysis. The sensitivity of some analyzers can reach 10 -16 mol/l;
• reagent stability and low error.

 

Immunoenzyme (immunological) analyzers are divided into several types depending on the functionality and level of automation:

 

1. Semi-automatic enzyme-linked immunosorbent analyzer. This type of immunological analyzer requires some intervention from the operator to perform some steps in the analysis process. They are less expensive and convenient for small laboratories where the load on the equipment is not very high. Semi-automatic analyzers are usually used to examine a small number of samples.
2. Automatic enzyme-linked immunosorbent analyzer. This immunological analyzer performs all stages of the study without operator intervention, which significantly reduces the risk of errors. It is capable of performing several tests simultaneously, has high sensitivity and provides maximum accuracy of results, which is necessary for large laboratories with a large flow of patients. An automatic immunological analyzer is used to diagnose a wide range of diseases, including allergic and oncological. However, performing tests on an automatic ELISA analyzer takes a lot of time, the minimum time is about 4 hours.
3. Immunochemiluminescent analyzer. The ICHLA method has significant advantages over ELISA, in particular in the speed of analysis: results can be obtained on the same day, while automated ELISA takes more time. In addition, ICHLA is more cost-effective, since calibration is performed once every four weeks, unlike ELISA, where a calibration curve must be created daily, especially with a small and medium flow of tests. Automation of ELISA is used less often than the manual method, and, in addition, significantly increases the cost of tests, which makes ICHLA an even more attractive choice for laboratories. Reagents for ICHLA are developed specifically for a specific analyzer and tested by the manufacturer in combination with it, which guarantees the achievement of the declared characteristics. The factory settings of such devices minimize the need for frequent calibration, ensuring long-term and reliable operation. In contrast, the ELISA method uses open-type analyzers, where reagents are initially tested for “manual” operation, and the protocols are adjusted to the analyzer. This requires more frequent adjustment due to the possibility of “decalibration” of parameters, which reduces the efficiency and reliability of the device.

 

Research using chemiluminescent technology has high applied value in the early detection of diseases and the study of their development, as well as conducting a qualitative assessment of the process after treatment and monitoring possible relapses. All this makes this technology indispensable in the work of a modern clinical laboratory.

 

Application of enzyme immunoassay in medicine

 

ELISA is widely used in medicine for the diagnosis of various diseases and monitoring their course. Main areas of use:

 

• Infectious diseases. The enzyme immunoassay is used to detect viral and bacterial infections. For example, the method is actively used for the diagnosis of hepatitis, HIV, respiratory and urogenital infections.
• Allergology. The ELISA method in allergology provides accurate determination of specific IgE to individual allergens with high sensitivity, which allows timely initiation of treatment due to rapid results within one day. It requires a minimum amount of material, suitable for patients of different ages, including children. The use of standardized reagents and factory settings guarantees high accuracy and reliability of results. Automation of the process minimizes the risk of errors and increases work efficiency, and a wide range of diagnostics allows the detection of food, pollen, household and other allergens.
• Oncology. Enzyme immunoassay is used to determine tumor markers, which allows screening in the early stages of cancer and increases the effectiveness of treatment.
• Reproductive endocrinology and gynecology. ELISA allows you to determine the level of hormones, which is important for monitoring reproductive health, detecting abnormalities in hormone levels, as well as in the treatment of infertility.
• General diagnostics. ELISA is also used to determine the level of various parameters and markers that reflect the state of the immune system, in particular for testing for the presence of infectious agents.

 

Today, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays are an important component of medical laboratories. Due to their high accuracy and sensitivity, as well as the ability to automate the analysis process, ELISAs have become an indispensable tool in modern medicine. You can buy an immunological analyzer in the Empirica online store at affordable prices and with delivery across Ukraine.