An Overview of Serological Tests in Clinical Testing

  • Norah Hussain Bedaiwi Alanazi et al.
Keywords: Serological Tests, Clinical Testing, Antibodies, Antigens, Diagnostic Tools, Immune Response, Blood Sample, ELISA, Immunofluorescence, Western Blotting, Infection Diagnosis, Autoimmune Disorders, Test Accuracy, Rapid Testing, Point-of-Care Testing

Abstract

Serological tests are essential diagnostic tools utilized in clinical laboratories to identify the presence of antibodies or antigens in a patient's serum. These tests play a crucial role in diagnosing various infections, autoimmune disorders, and diseases by detecting the immune response to pathogens. The process typically involves taking a blood sample, separating the serum, and then applying specific assays, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), immunofluorescence, or Western blotting. The results help clinicians determine the presence or stage of an infection, assess vaccine efficacy, or evaluate autoimmune conditions by measuring the levels of specific antibodies. The accuracy and reliability of serological tests are influenced by several factors, including the timing of the test in relation to infection onset, the quality of the reagents, and the test methodology. While serological testing can provide critical insights into a patient's immune status, it's important to interpret results in conjunction with clinical findings and additional laboratory tests. Recent advancements in technology, including rapid tests and point-of-care testing, have improved the accessibility and speed of serological testing, allowing for timely diagnosis and treatment decisions, particularly in resource-limited settings or during outbreaks.

Author Biography

Norah Hussain Bedaiwi Alanazi et al.

Norah Hussain Bedaiwi Alanazi¹, Waleed Saeed N. Almaghthawi², Maged Madallah R. Alkhamsan³, Sultan Hammad Oudah Alharbi⁴, Alenzi Magd Krim Z.⁵, Fatimah Sueder Hamed Al Johany⁶, Ali Mohammad Ali Alqahtani⁷, Intisar Salem M. Alanzi⁸, Amani Baqqan S. Alenezi⁹, Faisal Hamdan H. Alruwaili¹⁰

¹ Specialist-Laboratory - Arar Maternity and Children Hospital, Arar, Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia
² Technician-Laboratory - Regional Blood Bank, Madinah, Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia
³ Laboratories and medical technology - Turaif General Hospital, Turaif, Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia
⁴ Technician-Laboratory - Regional Blood Bank, Madinah, Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia
⁵ Technician-Laboratory - Eastern Turaif Health Center, Turaif, Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia
⁶ Laboratory Specialist - Ministry of Health - Madinah Health Cluster - Al-Miqat General Hospital, Madinah, Madinah Region, Saudi Arabia
⁷ Specialist - Laboratory - Aseer Regional Laboratory, Abha, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia
⁸ Laboratory specialties - King Salman Specialty Hospital, Hail, Saudi Arabia
⁹ Laboratory specialties - Regional Laboratory, Northern Border Region, Arar, Northern Borders, Saudi Arabia
¹⁰ Laboratory Technician - Al-Qurayyat, Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia

Published
2024-02-04
Issue
Vol 2023 No Issue 3 (2023)
Section
Regular Issue
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