IMMUNOBLOT
The ID-FISH ImmunoBlot provides superior detection of tick-borne diseases. Please use the form below to inquire about licensing.
WHAT IS AN IMMUNOBLOT?
An ImmunoBlot is a qualitative immunoassay in which antibodies specific to antigens on a membrane strip are visualized. It is more sensitive and specific than the ELISA, IFA, and traditional Western Blot tests. When antibody levels are very low in the early or late stage of the disease, ImmunoBlot can be positive, whereas ELISA and IFA tests can be negative.
The ImmunoBlot uses recombinant proteins instead of proteins from natural sources. Recombinant DNA technology provides a more efficient method to obtain large amounts of proteins. Additionally, by using recombinant technology, ID-FISH scientists are able to create DNA sequences that would not naturally exist under normal circumstances, leading to more sensitive and specific tests.
ImmunoBlot Strip Example
DISEASES DETECTED BY THE IMMUNOBLOT
The ID-FISH ImmunoBlot is available for the detection of Lyme disease, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, Bartonellosis, and Babesiosis.
Lyme disease: Detects the Lyme Borreliae genus and speciates to B. burgdorferi B31, B. burgdorferi 297, B. californiensis, B. mayonii, B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. spielmanii and B. valaisiana
TBRF: Detects the TBRF Borreliae genus and speciates to B. hermsii, B. miyamotoi, B. turicatae and B. coriacea
Bartonella: Detects the Bartonella genus and speciates to B. henselae, B. quintana, B. elizabethae and B. vinsonii
THE IMMUNOBLOT DIFFERENCE IS CLEAR
The ImmunoBlot replaces the Western blot. Western blots (right) are blurry, difficult to read, and lead to misdiagnosis. ImmunoBlots (far right) are clear, precise, and much easier to interpret.
HOW DOES IMMUNOBLOTTING WORK?
The ImmunoBlot assay is based upon an antigen-antibody complex formation in the following steps:
Step 1: Binding of specific antibodies in human serum to the ImmunoBlot strip. The ImmunoBlot strip is a membrane strip with fixed recombinant antigens on it.
Step 2: Binding of enzyme labeled anti-human IgG or IgM antibodies to the human antibodies bound to antigens on the membrane.
Step 3: Reaction with BCIP/NBT, a chromogenic substrate with bound antibodies on the strip. A dark purple colored precipitate (band) develops on the antigen-antibody complexes.
