Serology

Serology

Serology is the scientific study of blood serum. In practice, the term usually refers to the diagnostic identification of antibodies in the serum.cite book | author = Ryan KJ, Ray CG (editors) | title = Sherris Medical Microbiology | edition = 4th ed. | pages = 247–9 |publisher = McGraw Hill | year = 2004 | isbn = 0838585299 ] Such antibodies are typically formed in response to an infection (against a given microorganism)cite book | author = Washington JA | title = Principles of Diagnosis: Serodiagnosis. "in:" Baron's Medical Microbiology "(Baron S "et al", eds.)| edition = 4th ed. | publisher = Univ of Texas Medical Branch | year = 1996 | url = http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=mmed.section.5462 | isbn = 0-9631172-1-1 ] , against other foreign proteins (in response, for example, to a mismatched blood transfusion), or to one's own proteins (in instances of autoimmune disease).

Serological tests may be performed for diagnostic purposes when an infection is suspected, in rheumatic illnesses, and in many other situations, such as checking an individual's blood type. Serology blood tests help to diagnose patients with certain immune deficiencies associated with the lack of antibodies, such as X-linked agammaglobulinemia. In such cases, tests for antibodies will be consistently negative.

There are several serology techniques that can be used depending on the antibodies being studied. These include ELISA, agglutination, precipitation, complement-fixation and fluorescent antibodies.

Some serological tests are not limited to blood serum, but can also be performed on other bodily fluids such as semen and saliva, which have (roughly) similar properties to serum.

Serological tests may also be used forensically, generally to link a perpetrator to a piece of evidence (e.g., linking a rapist to a semen sample).

See also

* medical laboratory
* seroconversion
* serovar
* Medical technologist

References

External links

* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003511.htm Serology] - MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
*


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • serology — serology. См. серология. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • serology — from sero , comb. form of SERUM (Cf. serum), + OLOGY (Cf. ology) …   Etymology dictionary

  • serology — [si räl′ə jē] n. [ SERO + LOGY] the science dealing with the properties and actions of serums serologic [sir΄ə läj′ik] adj. serological serologist n …   English World dictionary

  • serology — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1909 a science dealing with serums and especially their reactions and properties • serological or serologic adjective • serologically adverb • serologist noun …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • serology — study of serums and the nature of antigens and antibodies …   Dictionary of ichthyology

  • serology — n. [L. serum, whey; Gr. logos, discourse] The study of sera and the nature, and interactions of antigens and antibodies …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • serology — (se rol o je) The branch of immunology that is concerned with in vitro reactions involving one or more serum constituents (e.g., antibodies and complement) …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • serology — serologic /sear euh loj ik/, serological, adj. serologically, adv. serologist, n. /si rol euh jee/, n. the science dealing with the immunological properties and actions of serum. [1905 10; SERO + LOGY] * * * …   Universalium

  • serology — noun a) The science that studies the reaction between antigens and antibodies in serum b) The characteristics of the blood serums of a particular disease or organism …   Wiktionary

  • serology — The branch of science concerned with serum, especially with specific immune or lytic serums; to measure either antigens or antibodies in sera. [sero + G. logos, study] * * * se·rol·o·gy si räl ə jē …   Medical dictionary

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