Instrumental Methods for Antigen Detection

Abstract

The detection of microbial antigens by immunological methods has proven to be a clinically relevant and reliable method for the rapid diagnosis of infectious disease. Traditionally, the laboratory has isolated the microorganism from clinical specimens, and, if necessary, determined its antibiotic susceptibility profile. If cultural microbiology was either unsuccessful or beyond the competence of the routine laboratory, then patients were tested for specific antibody response. While important, this process is time-consuming, requiring specimens submitted 2–3 weeks apart unless an increase in IgM antibody can be observed.