Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium known as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it can spread to various body parts, including the kidneys, spine, and brain, it primarily affects the lungs. It can spread from one person to another via the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
It occurs when a person breathes in air contaminated with TB bacteria. When the bacteria enter the lungs, the immune system responds and tries to stop them by sending special defence cells to trap the bacteria.
When the immune system successfully controls the bacteria, it leads to latent TB infection. In this, the bacteria are present but inactive. And when the immune system can’t control the bacteria, it leads to active TB disease.
In some cases, TB bacteria spread through the bloodstream to other organs. As a result, it affects the lymph nodes, bones, kidneys, or even the brain. This makes the disease more severe and harder to treat.
In 2023, approximately 10.8 million people fell ill with TB worldwide. And the mortality rate of TB was 1.25 million. Since it is a serious concern, scientists and healthcare professionals need to diagnose and treat TB at an early stage. Here is where ELISA kits come into play.
What is ELISA?
ELISA is short for Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. It is a plate-based technique that relies on antigen-antibody interactions. It is used to detect the presence of specific proteins in a sample.
It comes in different formats – direct, indirect, sandwich, and competitive. Depending on the nature of the target, scientists use different formats.
When it comes to TB research, ELISA can help:
- Detect TB-specific antigens
- Detect antibodies produced by the host in response to TB infection
- Detect cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
ELISA kits provide researchers with both qualitative and quantitative data about TB infections.
Role of ELISA in TB Diagnosis
Traditionally, sputum smear microscopy and culture methods were used to diagnose TB. However, these methods lack sensitivity and are time-consuming. However, ELISA provides quick and more efficient results. So, they are widely used for:
- Latent TB Detection
- Active TB Identification
- Extra-Pulmonary TB
Applications of ELISA in TB Research
Track Immune Response to TB
Researchers and scientists use ELISA in TB to study the host immune response. When Mycobacterium tuberculosis infects the body, it triggers a series of immune reactions. As a result, it produces cytokines and other signaling molecules. ELISA is used to measure the levels of cytokines, which further aids in analyzing the disease progression.
For instance:
ELISA can help measure the quantity of cytokines, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. Scientists use IFN-γ ELISA kit is used to identify the levels of IFN-γ in a blood sample. High levels indicate active immune engagement against TB bacteria. This helps researchers understand how the immune system controls TB infection and contributes to disease progression.
Contribute to TB Vaccine Development
Developing an effective TB vaccine is one of the challenges scientists face nowadays. Today, the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is preferred to prevent TB, but it offers limited protection, especially in adults.
However, ELISA kits play a vital role in vaccine research by helping scientists:
- Evaluate the immune response
- Compare vaccine candidates
- Long-term monitoring
By analyzing all the data, the researchers can develop a safer and effective vaccine.
Study TB Pathogenesis
In order to treat TB, scientists must understand how Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes disease and interacts with the host. At times, ELISA kits help:
- Identify proteins and cytokines that serve as biomarkers for TB.
- Compare immune responses in early versus later stages of TB.
- Investigate how TB interacts with other diseases, such as HIV.
These studies play a crucial role in the development of better therapies and the prediction of treatment outcomes.
The Bottom Line
ELISA kits provide quick, accurate, and reliable results for TB. It is also a cost-effective way to study TB. It helps diagnose TB, study immune responses, and track disease progression. Beyond diagnosis, it contributes to vaccine development, drug testing, and understanding TB pathogenesis. If you are also conducting an experiment for TB, make sure you buy ELISA kits online from a reliable source. Otherwise, you may end up having wrong results.
