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Immunoassay of infectious agents
Peter E Andreotti1, George V Ludwig, Anne Harwood Peruski
1ASD Biosystems, Richmond, VA, USA. pandreotti@csi.com
Biotechniques
|October 29, 2003
Summary
Immunoassays have advanced significantly since 1959, offering sensitive detection for infectious diseases (IDs) and biothreat (BT) agents. Modern immunoassays are increasingly integrated with nucleic acid methods for comprehensive diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Immunoassays, pioneered in 1959, are crucial for diagnosing infectious diseases (IDs).
- Continuous development aims for enhanced sensitivity, speed, and ease of use in immunoassays.
- Emerging IDs and biothreat (BT) agents necessitate advanced rapid testing capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of immunoassays.
- To discuss key immunoassay formats for detecting BT/ID agents.
- To explore the application of these technologies in various diagnostic scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Review of immunoassay development and historical context.
- Analysis of current immunoassay formats for antigen and antibody detection.
- Examination of integration strategies with nucleic acid-based methods.
Main Results:
- Immunoassays have evolved from radioimmunoassay (RIA) to diverse modern systems.
- Key formats are employed for identifying specific antigens and antibodies related to BT/ID agents.
- Integration with nucleic acid methods enhances diagnostic comprehensiveness.
Conclusions:
- Immunoassays remain a cornerstone of infectious disease diagnostics.
- Advancements are driven by the need for rapid detection of emerging threats.
- The integration of immunoassays with other technologies offers a powerful diagnostic approach.