Microbiology ELISA Kits

ELISA-based immunodetection is an effective and widely used technique in microbiology and virology—in particular, for investigating infectious pathogens. The ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) utilizes antibody-based analyte binding to measure concentrations of specific target antigens and proteins. It has been frequently used to directly detect the presence of bacteria, viruses, and parasites in various biological samples. Indirectly, the method is also used to measure antibodies produced as a result of infection.

How are ELISA kits used to detect bacteria, viruses, and parasites

ELISA plates are coated with antibodies that recognize specific bacterial, viral, or parasitic antigens. When the sample is added—which can come from plasma, serum, tissue extracts, or other bodily fluids—the antigen is immobilized and measured using enzyme-conjugated antibodies. Alternatively, plates can be coated with microbial antigens that will bind any antibodies produced as a direct response to the infection. ELISA kits generally contain all the required reagents (such as buffers, antibodies, and substrates), making it easy to study infectious disease from a variety of sample types.

Common viruses detected using ELISA

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) — is an enveloped RNA lentivirus that targets CD4-expressing immune cells and causes AIDS. A prominent antigen for ELISA detection is the HIV p24 protein, which forms the viral capsid.
Coronavirus (CoV) — is a group of viruses most known for the strains SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV, which cause severe respiratory illness. SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is comprised of several protein components, including spike, envelope, membrane, and nucleocapsid.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) — is an enveloped, spherical double-stranded DNA reverse-transcribing virus. The HBV E antigen (HBeAg) is used as a marker for HBV infection.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) — is an enveloped, spherical, ssRNA virus transmitted by blood and sexually. The HCV core antigen is often used as a marker for HCV infection.
Hepatitis D virus (HDV) — is a blood-borne, enveloped RNA virus that requires the host to be co-infected with hepatitis B virus.
Dengue virus — the causative agent of Dengue fever, is a single-stranded RNA virus transmitted through mosquitoes of the Aedes genus. The Dengue NS1 antigen is a non-structural glycoprotein produced by the dengue virus in the early, acute phase of its infection.
Influenza virus — is a family of enveloped RNA viruses that encode 11 proteins. The H1N1 strain of influenza A virus (commonly known as swine flu) reached pandemic levels in 2009.
Measles virus (MeV) — is an enveloped RNA virus that causes measles, also known as rubeola.
West Nile Virus (WNV) — is an enveloped RNA flavavirus virus whose infection causes West Nile fever.
Norovirus — is a genus of non-enveloped RNA viruses that is a common cause of gastroenteritis.
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) — is an enveloped DNA virus that infects humans. Its 152-Kb genome is speculated to encode up to 84 unique proteins.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) — is a species of enveloped RNA viruses that causes respiratory infection, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia.

Common bacteria detected using ELISA

Escherichia coli (E. coli) — is a gram-negative species of rod-shaped bacteria found in the intestinal flora. Pathogenic strains of E. coli can cause gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections, and colitis.
Helicobacter pylori — is a gram-negative pathogenic bacterium whose infection is associated with ulcers, gastritis, and stomach cancer.
Bordetella pertussis — is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes lung epithelial cells to cause whooping cough, or pertussis.
Mycoplasma — is a broad genus of bacteria that includes several pathogenic species, such as M. pneumoniae, M. hominis, M. pulmonis, and M. genitalium.
Chlamydia — is a bacterial genus that includes pathogens, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis, which cause pneumonia and chlamydia disease, respectively.
Clostridium — is a broad genus of Gram-positive bacteria that includes serious pathogens. Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium tetani, and Clostridium difficile, cause botulism, tetanus and C. difficile infection.
Salmonella — is a genus notable for the Salmonella enterica species, which causes most cases of food-borne salmonellosis. The Salmonella typhi serovar is the causative agent of typhoid fever.

Common parasites detected using ELISA

Giardia lamblia — colonizes the epithelium of the host's small intestine, causing giardiasis.
Trypanosoma — is a genus of unicellular protozoa that contain two disease-causing parasitic species: Trypanosoma brucei (African sleeping sickness) and Trypanosoma cruzi (Chagas disease).
Schistosoma — is a genus of parasitic flatworms, also known as blood flukes, whose infection causes schistosomiasis.
Cryptosporidium — is a parasitic protozoan that, upon ingestion, colonizes the microvilli of the small intestine to cause cryptosporidiosis.