ELISA/ACT Test

This test measures the level of reactivity and type of hyper-sensitivity in a person to antigens using immunologic testing as a solid-phase immunoassay which employs an enzyme-linked reactant.

The ELISA/ACT is a modification of the ELISA method. It combines enzyme amplification with lymphocyte blastogenesis in an autologous environment. This means that instead of monoclonal or anti-antibody binding is not used, and that whole plasma, not serum, with all the immunologic consitituents intact and inducible, are used to test for all phases of delayed reactivity (type II – IV). One of the key advantages of this procedure over other laboratory methods is its ability to measure IgG4 antibodies, which are involved in producing allergic symptoms.