serologische

Serological refers to serology, the study of serum and immune responses, particularly the detection of antibodies and antigens in blood serum. It is used to diagnose infections, monitor immune status, confirm exposure to pathogens, and support epidemiological surveillance.

Serological testing relies on antigen–antibody interactions. Common techniques include agglutination, precipitation, and immunoassays such as ELISA, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. Lateral flow assays provide rapid, point‑of‑care results. Neutralization assays measure the ability of antibodies to block pathogen infectivity.

Applications of serology include the diagnosis of infectious diseases (for example HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, dengue, and SARS‑CoV‑2), assessment of immune response after vaccination, and blood typing for transfusion safety. Serology also supports autoimmune disease workups through autoantibody tests and can be used in serosurveys to estimate population exposure to pathogens.

Limitations of serological testing include the timing of infection, which can create window periods with negative results, and cross‑reactivity that may cause false positives. Assay performance can vary between platforms, necessitating confirmatory testing in some cases. Pre‑analytical factors such as sample handling and storage also influence accuracy, underscoring the need for quality control and appropriate interpretation within clinical context.

Historically, serology developed from early work on serum therapy and antibody detection, leading to ABO blood typing and later immunoassays. The introduction of ELISA in the 1970s and advances in automation have expanded its diagnostic utility and throughput in modern clinical and research settings.