What is the primary purpose of serology in the field of clinical diagnostic microbiology?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Understanding the question helps us focus on the role of serology in clinical diagnostic microbiology. 
Option a: 'Identifying pathogenic microbes directly from clinical samples' — This is more characteristic of direct detection methods like culture, microscopy, or nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). Serology does not typically identify the microbe directly from a sample; it detects immune responses rather than the organism itself. 
Option b: 'Detecting specific antibodies or antigens related to microbial infections' — This statement reflects the essence of serology: measuring antibodies produced in response to pathogens or detecting specific antigens from pathogens in patient samples or other specimens. It captures the indirect diagnostic approach that serology employs. 
Option c: 'Measuring the toxicity of chemical compounds' — This option relates to toxicology or chemical analysis, not serology or infectious disease serology. It misattributes the field’s focus to chemical toxicity rather than immune-mediated detection. 
Option d: 'Analysing the genetic makeup of antibodies' — While antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system, serology generally assesses presence/level of antibodies or antigens, not the genetic sequences or makeup of antibodies themselves. Detailed genetic analysis of antibodies falls under immunogenetics or molecular immunology, not routine serology. 
Putting it together, each option differs in scope: A describes direct microbe detection, C focuses on chemical toxicity, D on genetic analysis, and B accurately captures the serology domain. The question’s primary purpose is best represented by option B, which centers on detecting antibodies or antigens related to infections, the core of serologic testing.

My LMS Subjects Online quiz 6

What is the primary purpose of serology in the field of clinical diagnostic microbiology?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

In agglutination tests, what does the clumping or aggregation of particulate antigens indicate?

When performing an Indirect ELISA, what does a positive result indicate?

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

A product has a selling price of $20, a contribution margin ratio of 40% and fixed cost of $120,000. To make a profit of $30,000. The number of units that must be sold is: Type the number without $ and a comma. Eg: 20000

Which of the following statement regarding cost is correct:

Under the assumptions used in cost-volume-profit analysis, as the activity increases:

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler