Vastustuskoes

Vastustuskoe, commonly referred to in English as a serological or antibody test, is a laboratory method used to assess an individual’s immune status by detecting antibodies or antigens in a biological sample, typically blood serum. The test indicates whether a person has been exposed to a pathogen or has mounted an immune response after vaccination, rather than diagnosing the active infection itself.

Most vastustuskoe procedures rely on immunoassay techniques. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a common example, as are other methods such as agglutination, immunofluorescence, and neutralization assays. In rapid or point-of-care formats, lateral flow assays can provide qualitative results within minutes. The choice of method depends on the target pathogen, required sensitivity, and available resources.

Applications of vastustuskoe include diagnosing past infections, assessing immune status post-vaccination, surveillance of population exposure, and screening of blood or organ donors. In clinical practice, results are interpreted alongside patient history, exposure timelines, and other tests, since a positive antibody result does not always distinguish between recent or remote exposure or indicate current infectiousness. Conversely, a negative result may reflect a window period before antibody development or waning antibody levels.

Limitations and considerations include varying sensitivity and specificity, potential cross-reactivity with related pathogens, and the need for confirmatory testing in certain cases. Proper sample handling, standardization, and quality control are essential to ensure reliable results.