28th ANNUAL EASTERN FISH HEALTH WORKSHOP April 21-25, 2003 Uses And Abuses Of ELISA Diagnostics: Reading Too Little Or Too Much Into Your Hard-Won Data Stephen L. Kaattari Department of Environmental and Aquatic Animal Health, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 The ELISA has become one of the most popular quantitative diagnostics in use today. This popularity is due to its relative ease in development and application, often leading to sensitive field assays that require no equipment or specialized training. Frequently; however, ELISAs have been inappropriately employed thereby resulting in completely flawed data or reducing the amount of information obtainable from experimental samples.  Many of these errors or omissions are commonly made and, as the resultant data may appear to approximate the anticipated results, the assays are assumed to be functional and find widespread use and publication.  Some of the most common errors or omissions involve inappropriate use of titration curves or a complete lack of sample titration, failure to recognize the importance of enzyme reaction rates, a lack of standards, and flawed antigen capture techniques.  Designing ELISA tests with the realization of the importance of each of these problems can lead to more accurate measurements and an increase in the amount of data obtainable from one's samples. Return to 28th Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop Return to Leetown Science Center Home Page