A serology blood test is a diagnostic test used to detect antibodies or antigens in the blood, typically to identify whether someone has been exposed to an infection or has a specific immune response. These tests can help diagnose various infections, autoimmune disorders, and other medical conditions.
Key Points of Serology Blood Tests:
- Antibodies: The test looks for specific antibodies (like IgM, IgG) produced by the immune system in response to a pathogen (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi).
- Antigens: In some cases, the test might detect antigens, which are foreign proteins from the pathogen itself.
- Applications: Common uses include detecting infections like HIV, Hepatitis B and C, COVID-19, and Lyme disease. It’s also used in blood typing and determining immunity from vaccines.
- Types of Serology Tests:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): Measures antibody levels in the blood.
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA): Uses radioactivity to measure antibodies.
- Agglutination: Checks for clumping reactions between antigens and antibodies.
- Results:
- Positive: Presence of antibodies indicates past or current infection, or immunity after vaccination.
- Negative: No detectable antibodies, meaning no prior exposure or insufficient time for the immune response to develop.
Serology tests are often used to confirm the immune response during or after infection, rather than diagnosing early-stage diseases.
Results – 4 hours from Laboratory receiving sample
