Summary
Highlights
Serology is the scientific study of serum and other body fluids, primarily used for the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum. These antibodies are formed in response to infections, foreign proteins, or autoimmune diseases.
Serologic tests are blood tests that detect antibodies in your blood using various laboratory techniques. They all focus on proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign invaders.
There are different types of serologic tests to detect various antibodies, including agglutination assays (showing particle clumping), precipitation tests (measuring antibody presence), and Western Blot tests (identifying antimicrobial antibodies by their reaction with target antigens).
Normal test results show no antibodies, indicating no infection. Abnormal results, showing antibodies, mean there has been an immune response to a past or current exposure to a disease or foreign protein. They can also diagnose autoimmune disorders or indicate immunity to certain antigens.
Serologic testing can diagnose multiple illnesses, such as brucellosis, amebiasis, measles, rubella, HIV, syphilis, coronavirus, and various fungal infections.