Serumklasse

Serumklasse is a term found in German-language biomedical literature that refers to a grouping or categorization of components derived from blood serum. It is not a fixed, universally defined technical term; its exact meaning depends on the scientific context, ranging from clinical chemistry to immunology and proteomics. In practice, authors use the phrase to discuss classes or groups of serum constituents rather than a single standardized set.

In clinical chemistry, serum protein fractions obtained by electrophoresis or immunochemical methods are often described as major serum classes or fractions. The classic divisions include albumin and several globulin fractions (alpha-1, alpha-2, beta, and gamma). These serum classes are used to interpret diagnostic patterns and to identify abnormalities in protein distribution that may accompany disease states.

In immunology, serum classes can refer to antibody categories, such as the immunoglobulin classes IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, and IgD, which describe the functional and structural types present in serum. In proteomics and systems biology, serum is viewed as a mixture of protein classes defined by function or origin, such as transport proteins, complement components, acute-phase proteins, and other functional groups. This classificatory approach aids data organization and comparability across studies.

Limitations of the term arise from regional or disciplinary preferences and a lack of universal standard usage. More common in contemporary texts are specific terms like serum fractions, serum proteins, or immunoglobulin classes. See also Serum, Immunoglobulins, Serum protein electrophoresis, Proteomics.