Serology is the study of blood serum and serological tests, used for health care and criminal investigations. It involves the analysis of antigens and antibodies and can diagnose infections, determine immunity, and analyze bodily fluids. Serological testing is simple for patients, with minor risks, and involves analyzing the reaction between antigens and antibodies in a laboratory.
The term “serology” is commonly used to refer to two things. First, it is a branch of science that deals with serums, especially blood serums. Secondly, the term is used to refer to serological tests. Serology is used in health care and in criminal investigations.
To understand the term, it is best to have a basic understanding of antigens and antibodies. Dalhousie University defines an antigen as “a substance capable of inducing a specific immune response” and notes that antigens are often foreign proteins or partial proteins that enter the body through an infection. It’s easy to think of antibodies as targeted solutions. An antibody can identify a particular antigen, attach itself to it, and prevent that antigen from producing the effect it otherwise would.
Serology is often defined as the study of blood serum. Blood serum is the clear portion of blood that can be found in a vial if the blood is left standing long enough for it to separate. However, this is only part of the field. It is also possible to use this science to study other fluids. This science is commonly used for health purposes.
In this regard, there are several goals such tests can achieve. For starters, it can be used to diagnose the infection. However, in some cases, the test results will show that a person has been exposed to certain antigens but does not have an active infection. In these cases, these tests can be used to prevent infection. Additionally, a serological test can determine whether a person who has previously had contact with certain antigens is immune to a recurrence of the infection.
Serological tests can be used for conditions such as syphilis, HIV and viral arthritis. In addition, this science and related test methods can be used to determine blood types and analyze semen and saliva. This makes it a useful technique in criminal investigations, from which a branch of science known as forensic serology has developed.
While the job of a serologist testing a substance can be complex, as a patient, performing serological testing is quite simple. The blood is drawn and sent to a laboratory. The risks associated with serology are generally common and minor. These include dizziness, bruising and infections. No special preparations are usually required for such tests.
In the laboratory, serological testing techniques such as precipitation, complement fixation, or fluorescent antibody are used to analyze the reaction between certain antigens and antibodies. When a person is not suffering from an illness, serum tests will show that no antibodies are present in their blood. If antibodies are found, it means a person has probably been exposed to the antigen.
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