Serología
Serología is a branch of immunology that studies serum, the clear liquid that separates from blood when it is clotted. More specifically, it focuses on the reactions between antigens and antibodies within the serum. These reactions are the basis for many diagnostic tests used in medicine. When a foreign substance, such as a virus or bacterium, enters the body, the immune system produces antibodies to neutralize it. Serological tests detect the presence of these antibodies or the antigens themselves in a patient's blood sample.
The principles behind serological testing are relatively straightforward. If a specific antibody is present in the
Serological tests are crucial for diagnosing a wide range of infectious diseases, including HIV, hepatitis, syphilis,