What type of test is used in immunology to detect antibodies in a patient's serum?

Serological tests are specifically designed to detect and measure the presence of antibodies in a patient's serum. These tests are foundational in immunology because they allow healthcare professionals to assess the immune response to infections, vaccination status, and autoimmune conditions.

When a pathogen enters the body, the immune system responds by producing antibodies, which are proteins that identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. Serological tests utilize various techniques, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or Western blotting, to identify these antibodies and assess their levels, providing critical information about the patient’s immune status.

In contrast, biopsy tests involve taking a tissue sample for examination and are used to diagnose diseases such as cancer, while blood panel tests generally evaluate multiple components of blood but do not specifically target antibody detection like serological tests do. Microbial cultures are used to grow and identify microorganisms from samples, which is a different focus compared to identifying antibodies. Thus, serological tests are the most appropriate choice for detecting antibodies in serum.