Antibody detection: Principles and applications

Abstract

Antibody detection methods by immunoassay have been developed, commonly used, and will be expanded further for rapid and accurate diagnosis of the common or newly emerging infection-causing agents such as viruses in clinical as well as public health laboratories. Since the first competitive radioimmunoassay was developed over 50 years ago for human insulin detection [1], immunoassays have been developed with emphasis on fast and sensitive detection technologies and automation. Due to the demand of large screening for epidemiology, blood bank, prenatal care, and diagnosis of HIV and hepatitis, more immunodiagnostic procedures are performed using instruments and reagents similar to immunochemistry platforms used in clinical chemistry or core laboratory. Immunoassay for detection of host-produced antibodies directed against microorganisms, particularly viruses, has been one of the most widely used analytical techniques in laboratory medicine [2, 3]. Automation and random access application have been implemented for rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases.