Use the following choices to answer questions 4 and 5:
a. anti-Brucella
b. Brucella
c. substrate for the enzyme


Which item is from the patient in an indirect ELISA test?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of an indirect ELISA test, which is used to detect antibodies in a patient's sample.
2. Identify the components involved in an indirect ELISA test: the antigen, the primary antibody from the patient, and the secondary antibody with an enzyme attached.
3. Recognize that in an indirect ELISA, the patient's sample is tested for the presence of specific antibodies against an antigen.
4. Determine which of the given choices represents an antibody that could be present in the patient's sample.
5. Conclude that the item from the patient in an indirect ELISA test is the antibody, which corresponds to choice 'a. anti-Brucella'.

Key Concepts

Indirect ELISA

Indirect ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of antibodies in a sample. In this method, the sample, typically serum from a patient, is added to a plate coated with an antigen. If antibodies specific to the antigen are present, they will bind to it, and a secondary enzyme-linked antibody is added to facilitate detection through a color change, indicating a positive result.

Antibodies

Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances, known as antigens. They play a crucial role in identifying and neutralizing pathogens like bacteria and viruses. In the context of an indirect ELISA, the presence of specific antibodies in a patient's sample indicates prior exposure to a particular pathogen, which is essential for diagnosing infections such as those caused by Brucella.

Brucella

Brucella is a genus of bacteria that causes brucellosis, a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans. It is characterized by symptoms such as fever, sweats, and fatigue. In an indirect ELISA test, detecting antibodies against Brucella in a patient's serum can confirm an active or past infection, making it a critical component in diagnosing this disease.