On the Interpretation of Serological Findings

Overview

The main problem of serologic examinations is the correct interpretation of serological findings.Essentially, there are two reasons for serologic examination. The first one is simply the needto know if the person examined has antibodies against the agent in question. Here theinterpretation of the result is easy. In the second case, the question hidden behind the inquiryif the patient has antibodies or not is entirely different: namely, if the patient is experiencingthe infection caused by the agent in question. Since the serologic results do not equate withmedical diagnosis, their correct interpretation is difficult, if not impossible. For the diagnosticpurposes we must usually examine two specimens of the serum and demonstrate significantchanges in the titre of antibodies. Examples are given when it is exceptionally possible todiagnose an infection from the serologic result of the single specimen. Generally, the interpre-tation must take into account: 1. the kind of the infectious agent, 2. the pathogenesis ofinfection, 3. the course of the immune reaction ascertained by the detection of antibody activityin different classes of immunoglobulins or by the demonstration of low-avidity antibodies, 4.technicalities as the type of serologic reaction, 5. individual reactivity of the patient and, mostimportantly, 6. time data on the duration of the illness. The attending physician should haveadequate knowledge of serologic methods and the laboratory worker should be informed aboutthe disease and about the individual patient in question.

Key words:
serology - interpretation of result - detection of antibodies - titre of antibodies.