How does the food IgG ELISA test work?
ELISA stands for Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. ELISA is a standard diagnostic procedure used in hospitals and other establishments for many tests such as detection of viruses, measurement of hormone levels etc. The food ELISA test measures antibodies to foods. These antibodies are also known as food immunoglobulins or food IgGs. The test consists of a microtitre plate coated with extracts of a number common foods (the number depends on the test that you are taking). Three test wells are used to calibrate the assay and to provide a positive control. A patient’s plasma is diluted and dispensed into the microtitre plate to allow any food IgGs to bind to the food extracts. The bound food IgGs are detected using an antibody to human IgGs that is linked to an enzyme. This antibody recognises the food IgGs and binds to them. Finally, a chemical solution is added which in the presence of the enzyme changes from colourless to blue. In this way, the food IgGs in the patient’s blood can be i
