Serology
Serology is the scientific study of serum and other body fluids. In practice, the term usually refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum.[1] Such antibodies are typically formed in response to an infection (against a given microorganism),[2] against other foreign proteins (in response, for example, to a mismatched blood transfusion), or to one's own proteins (in instances of autoimmune disease). In either case, the procedure is simple.[citation needed]
Serological tests
Serological tests are diagnostic methods that are used to identify antibodies and
Applications
Microbiology
In
The presence of antibodies against a pathogen in a person's blood indicates that they have been exposed to that pathogen. Most serologic tests measure one of two types of antibodies: immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). IgM is produced in high quantities shortly after a person is exposed to the pathogen, and production declines quickly thereafter. IgG is also produced on the first exposure, but not as quickly as IgM. On subsequent exposures, the antibodies produced are primarily IgG, and they remain in circulation for a prolonged period of time.[6]
This affects the interpretation of serology results: a positive result for IgM suggests that a person is currently or recently infected, while a positive result for IgG and negative result for IgM suggests that the person may have been infected or immunized in the past. Antibody testing for infectious diseases is often done in two phases: during the initial illness (acute phase) and after recovery (convalescent phase). The amount of antibody in each specimen (
Transfusion medicine
Other serologic methods used in
Immunology
Serologic tests can help to diagnose autoimmune disorders by identifying abnormal antibodies directed against a person's own tissues (
Serological surveys
A 2016 research paper by Metcalf et al., amongst whom were
In a helpful reply entitled "Opportunities and challenges of a World Serum Bank", de Lusignan and Correa observed
In another helpful reply on the World Serum Bank, the Australian researcher Karen Coates declared that:[15]
Improved serological surveillance would allow
insect controlmeasures.
In April 2020, Justin Trudeau formed the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, whose mandate is to carry out a serological survey in a scheme hatched in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17]
See also
- Forensic serology
- Medical laboratory
- Medical technologist
- Seroconversion
- Serovar
- Geoffrey Tovey, noted serologist
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8385-8529-0.
- ISBN 978-0-9631172-1-2.
- ^ Gardner, Ross M. (2011). Practical crime scene processing and investigation (Second ed.). CRC Press.
- ^ "Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)". British Society for Immunology.
- S2CID 68212270, retrieved 2021-06-13
- ^ ISBN 978-0-323-37061-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-119-06674-3.
- ISBN 978-0-323-48212-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8036-9462-0.
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry (24 December 2019). "Direct Antiglobulin Test". Lab Tests Online. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-4557-2684-4.
- American Association for Clinical Chemistry (13 November 2019). "Autoantibodies". Lab Tests Online. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- PMID 27059886.
- S2CID 42914918.
- PMID 28118912.
- ^ "WHO set pandemic response back by 2-3 weeks, says doctor on new federal task force". CBC. 23 April 2020.
- ^ "Prime Minister announces new support for COVID-19 medical research and vaccine development". Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. 23 April 2020.
External links
- Serology (archived) – MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- Serologic+Tests at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)