Method Description

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is an immunoassay that is particularly suited to the determination of antibodies in various kinds of samples. The reaction is based on the specific interaction of antibodies with their corresponding antigen. The test strips of the microtiter plate are coated with specific antigens of the pathogen of interest. If antibodies in the sample are present, they bind to the fixed antigen. A secondary antibody, which has been conjugated with the enzyme alkaline phosphatase detects and binds to the immune complex. The colorless substrate p-nitrophenylphosphate is then converted into the colored product p-nitrophenol. The signal intensity of this reaction product is proportional to the concentration of the analyte in the sample and is measured photometrically.(Package insert: Francisella tularensis IgG/IgM ELISA, Immuno-Biological Laboratories Inc; V 142.6)