[Various types of immunoassay].

Five types of immunoassay, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), radioimmunoassay (RIA), fluoroimmunoassay (FIA), chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and counting immunoassay (CIA), are generally used. Radioimmunoassay was first developed but it needs specific facilities and the half life of radioisotope is not long. Enzyme immunoassay is at present most popular in Japan. The goal of development of immunoassay is improvement of sensitivity and automation. In order to improve sensitivity of an assay, immunoenzymometric assay (IEMA), which is a non-competitive method, was developed and fluorescent materials and chemiluminescent materials are used for the detection of enzyme activity. Automation of immunoenzymometric assay could be done with solid phase antibody method.