Serology is the group of the laboratory tests based on the immunological response against the invading microorganism. This test also gives an idea about the onset of infection period and the immunologic strength of the patient against the infection. These microorganizms are generally called the ‘antigens’, while the immune response proteins against those antigens are called the ‘antibodies’.
Tests are preferred because they give earlier results than the microbiological tests and because blood may be used as the specimen. The main purpose of these tests are to search for spesific antibodies in the blood of the related pathogen. In other words, they are focused on proteins produced by the immune system.
The main subjects of the serological tests are;
- Bacterias
- Candida
- Viruses
- Parasites