serology

A branch of medicine which specializes in the analysis of serum. In particular it looks for evidence of infection, by the detection of antibodies or micro-organisms.

Serology is a medical blood test to detect the presence of antibodies in the blood serum. Such antibodies may be formed against a microorganism, against other foreign proteins (in response, for example, to a mismatched blood transfusion), or to one's own proteins, in instances of autoimmune disease.

There are several serology techniques that can be used depending on the suspected antibodies.

Serology blood tests properly diagnose patients with certain immune deficiencies associated with the lack of antibodies, such as X-linked agammaglobulinemia, and always give a negative result.