The application of immunoassay techniques, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to snake venom research.

The development and application of immunoassay techniques in relation to snake venom research is reviewed. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is compared with radioimmunoassay, immunodiffusion, immunofluorescence, haemagglutination and immunoelectrophoresis. It is concluded that ELISA is the most versatile immunoassay technique so far applied to the field of venom research, its main advantages over other methods including relatively high levels of sensitivity and specificity, reproducibility, simplicity and ease of sample collection. It can also be readily modified into kit form and is easily adapted for use in large scale epidemiological studies and for accurate retrospective diagnosis of snake bite. None of the other assay systems considered fulfil these criteria to the same extent. ELISA is helping to advance epidemiological knowledge of snake bite, in exploring the role of active immunisation and in the compilation of accurate clinical patterns of envenoming. Other applications of the test include its use for potency screening of both new and developed commercially available antivenoms and for the detection of monoclonal antibodies which should eventually result in increased specificity of the assay system by eliminating cross reactions between venoms and antibodies of closely related species.