Introduction of Candida Mannan ELISA Detection Kit

Candida Mannan ELISA Detection is used for the specific detection of Invasive Candidiasis and Candidemia. It works on the principle of competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). It is applied for the quantitative detection of Candida mannan antigen in human serum, offering a diagnostic reference for Candida infection and the test kit is intended for professional use only.

Principle of ELISA

Two specific antibodies are employed in this method. Serum antibody (excess) and enzyme-labeled Abs for the antigen. The antibodies compete for the binding site on the same antigen, hence called competitive.

Characteristics of Candida Mannan ELISA Detection Kit

Characteristics of Candida Mannan ELISA Detection Kit are given in below table-

Basic Parameters	Candida Mannan Detection ELISA Kit
Method	ELISA
Sample Type	Serum, BAL
Sample Volume	300 µL
Specification	96 tests/kit
Detection time	2 hours
Limit of Detection	0.5 ng/ml
Reproducibility	<15%

Keynotes

• FungiXpert® Candida Mannan ELISA Detection Kit is a product of bio-state Inc.
• The advantages of this product are as follows-

1. Advance
2. Accurate
3. Faster
4. Economical

• Types of ELISA –

1. Direct ELISA (sandwich ELISA -For Ag detection),
2. Indirect ELISA (For Ab detection),
3. Competitive ELISA, and
4. Capture ELISA.

• Direct ELISA is for the detection of antigens.
• Indirect ELISA is for the detection of antibodies.
• Sandwich or Competitive ELISA is for the detection of antigens.
• The invalid test should be repeated.

Interfering Factors of ELISA Test Results

The following factors which affect the ELISA result are as follow as-

1. Plate Assay: the shape and quality of the wells, the material of the plate, potential pre-activation, even or uneven coating
2. Buffer: pH, contamination
3. Capture and detection antibody: incubation time, temperature, specificity, titer, affinity
4. Blocking Buffer: cross-reactivity, concentration, contamination
5. Target antigen: conformation, stability, epitopes
6. Enzyme conjugate: type, concentration, function, cross-reactivity
7. Washes: contamination, frequency, volume, duration, composition
8. Substrate: quality/manufacturer
9. Detection: instrument-dependent factors
10. The reader or human error

Advantages of ELISA

• Specific and sensitive with wide application
• Equipment is cheap and easily available.
• Reagents are “Cheap” and have a long shelf life.
• Assays may be rapid.
• Simultaneous assay, variety of labels
• Potential for automation
• No radiation hazards

Disadvantages of ELISA

• Contamination
• Expertise required to label and purify conjugates
• Susceptible to interference from non-specific factors

Further Readings

1. https://elisa-kits.de/en/dynamiker-candida-mannan-assay-elisa.html
2. https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/experimental-techniques/enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay
3. https://www.who.int/diagnostics_laboratory/faq/elisa/en/
4. http://www.biobest.co.uk/diagnostics/techniques/elisa-how-does-the-test-work.html
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555922/
6. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive-health/hiv-aids/diagnosis/elisa.html
7. Textbook of Medical Laboratory Technology by Praful B. Godkar, Darshan P. Godkar
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/elisa
9. Textbook of Medical Laboratory Technology by Ramnik Sood (2006)