Awareness about ELISA technique among dental students

Abstract

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be used to recognize proteins, peptides, antibodies as well as hormones. Often known also as an enzyme immunoassay (EIA), ELISA is used as a diagnostic test in the field of biomedicine and science. This study was conducted to determine the understanding of the ELISA technique among dental students. This survey was performed for assessing the awareness about ELISA technique amongst the dental students. This study was a questionnaire oriented, cross-sectional type of survey comprising 100 dental college students in Chennai. A self-designed questionnaire with 10 questions eliciting the knowledge and awareness about applications of ELISA technique among dental college students. Questionnaires were circulated through an online website survey planet. The questions explored the awareness on ELISA technique diagnostic indications, Direct ELISA, Indirect ELISA, Sandwich ELISA, Competitive ELISA and mechanism of ELISA technique. After the responses were received from 100 participants, data were collected and analysed.67% of the respondents were aware of the ELISA technique .52% were aware of direct ELISA technique. 45%% were aware of the indirect ELISA technique. 42% were aware of the sandwich ELISA technique, 38% were aware of the competitive ELISA technique. 35% were aware of the mechanism of the ELISA technique. The awareness about the ELISA technique in diagnostic medical applications was less among dental students. Increased awareness and educational programs should be initiated to spread knowledge about the ELISA technique among all students and clinicians.