Serology and Immunology

Serologic tests are primarily those that look for antibodies to various disease processes, including infectious and autoimmune diseases. The serology department in a hospital laboratory may be one of the smaller areas but it is a very important aspect of any laboratory. Physicians rely on serologic tests in order to determine if a patient is immune to an infectious disease or if the patient has an autoimmune disorder such as lupus or scleroderma. Pathologists should be up to date on the various serologic tests since the technology for these tests change often.