Serology/Immunology

• Serology/Immunology – serum and autoimmune reactions in the blood
• A.Bacterial Studies

  (1)    Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) – shows autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus

  (2)    Antistreptolysin-O (ASO) Titer – indicates streptococcal infection

  (3)    Cold Agglutinins – checks case of atypical pneumonia

  (4)    Febrile Agglutination Test – shows the presence of antibodies to specific organisms
• A.Bacterial Studies

  (1)    FTA-ABS (Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption) – confirms syphilis

  (2)    Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) – when positive, it is indicative of syphilis but it still needs confirmation

  (3) Rheumatoid Factor (RF) – indicates rheumatoid arthritis
• B. Viral Studies

  (1)    Anti-HIV – screens human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

  (2)    Cytomegalovirus Antibody (CMV) – a confirmatory test for CMV antibody

  (3)    Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) – checks for the presence of heterophil antibody which indicates infectious mononucleosis

  (4)    Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) – checks for the presence of hepatitis antigen on the surface of RBCs
• C. General Studies

  (1)    C-reactive protein (CRP) – indicates inflammation when levels are increased

  (2) Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) Test – the hormone is present when a patient is pregnant