Serology Test: Requirement and Results

What are Serology Tests?

These tests are blood tests that locate antibodies in the blood. Such tests may

include many laboratory techniques. There are different types of serologic

tests which detect various conditions of diseases. A common factor among

serologic tests is that they aim at proteins that are created by the immune

system. This process of protein creation in the body helps fight against foreign

invaders that lead to illness. Serology tests have the same process of test

irrespective of the technique used by the laboratory.

Why is a Serology Test Required?

In order to understand the purpose of serology test, it is important to know a

few things related to the immune system. There are antigens present in our

body which aggravate a response from the immune system. They are

microscopic in nature and usually cannot be seen with a naked eye. Antigens

can enter an individual’s body through nasal passages, broken skin, or even

through the mouth. Antigens that affect people’s body include viruses, fungi,

bacteria, and parasites. In order to protect the body against antigens, the

immune system produces anitbodies. Therefore, through a blood test the

doctor identifies types of antigens and antibodies present in the blood in order

to detect the type of infection one has.

What is the Meaning of Serology Results?

There are of course, normal test results and abnormal test results. If the tests

reflect no antibodies, it indicates that there is no past or current infection. So

results that show the absence of antibodies are indicators of normal results.

In terms of abnormal results, most often, the presence of antibodies reflects

that there has been a response from the immune system to a particular

antigen either from a current or a past foreign protein.

The testing can show an autoimmune disorder or the presence of one or more

antigens. Abnormal results can also diagnose illnesses such as measles,

syphilis, HIV, amoebiasis, rubella, brucellosis, and other fungal infections.

Diagnostic Centers

There are a number of diagnostic centres where serology tests can be

performed such as Apollo Diagnostic, SRL Laboratories, and Dr. Lal Path Labs.

Clinical Pathology tests provide support to the diagnosis of various diseases

detected by these tests.