Serology

As serology is referred to the science and study of the antigen -antibody reactions, if they occur in vitro. It is therefore a branch of immunology.

Serology is concerned among other things with the development of specific detection of antigens and antibodies. This is possible because the antigen -antibody reactions are very specific. Thus, the identification of antigen carriers is possible, such as pathogens on the one hand. On the other hand, diseases can be diagnosed by the specific detection of antibodies in the blood. Here, two states of a serostatus occur:

• Individuals are referred to as seropositive when antibodies against a specific antigen could be found.
• If a negative result, the individual is seronegative.

The procedure for the detection of antibodies, however, there are limits due to two temporal factors: First, the infected organism must at all with the formation of antibodies have begun to second this must be present in sufficient concentration.