Serological
Reactions
(Serology)
Antigen
-
antibody
reactions
studied
under
laboratory
conditions
are
known
as
serological
reactions,
so
named
because
they
commonly
involve
serum
from
a
patient.
In
the
late
1800s,
serological
reactions
were
first
adapted
to
laboratory
tests
used
in
the
diagnosis
of
disease.
Abnormal
level
of
a
specific
antibody
in
the
serum
of
patient
indicates
the
presence
of
the
agent
of
the
particular
disease.
Today,
serological
reactions
have
diagnostic
and
many
other
applications.
For
a
successful
reaction
the
antigen
or
antibody
solutions
are
to
be
set
at
the
concentration
at
which
reaction
is
most
favorable.
The
titer
is
the
most
dilute
concentration
of
serum
antibody
that
yields
a
detectable
reaction
with
its
specific
antigen.
Serology has
become
a
highly
sophisticated
and
often
automated
branch
of
immunology.
The
serological
reactions
have
direct
application
to
the
clinical
laboratory.
.
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