What do ELISA and Western Blot tests primarily detect?

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and Western Blot tests are both immunological assays used primarily for the detection of antibodies in a sample. These tests are commonly utilized to identify whether a person has been exposed to a specific virus, as antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to an infection. The presence of antibodies indicates that the body has recognized the virus and mounted an immune response.

In the case of the ELISA test, it involves an antigen attached to a solid surface, where patient serum is added. If antibodies against the antigen are present, they will bind to the antigen, allowing for detection through a subsequent reaction. The Western Blot test further confirms the findings of an ELISA by separating proteins using gel electrophoresis and transferring them onto a membrane, where specific antibodies can then be used to identify bands that indicate the presence of antibodies to the target antigens.

This functionality positions these tests within the scope of detecting antibodies, specifically to viruses, rather than detecting the viruses directly, viral DNA, or cellular antigens. Therefore, when relating to the functionality of ELISA and Western Blot tests, detecting antibodies to viruses is the most accurate description of what they primarily assess.