GC: n
S: FDA – https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-serological-tests (last access: 8 April 2020); ECDC – https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/files/media/en/publications/Publications/lyme-borreliosis-diagnostic-accuracy-serological-tests-systematic-review.pdf (last access: 8 April 2020).
N: 1. – serological (adj): From the noun serology (1907, from sero-, combining form of “serum”, + “-logy”. Related: Serological; serologist).
– test (n): Late 14c., “small vessel used in assaying precious metals,” from Old French test, from Latin testum “earthen pot,” related to testa “piece of burned clay, earthen pot, shell” (see tete).
Sense of “trial or examination to determine the correctness of something” is recorded from 1590s. The connecting notion is “ascertaining the quality of a metal by melting it in a pot.” Test Act was the name given to various laws in English history meant to exclude Catholics and Nonconformists from office, especially that of 1673, repealed 1828. Test drive (v.) is first recorded 1954.
2. Serological test, any of several laboratory procedures carried out on a sample of blood serum, the clear liquid that separates from the blood when it is allowed to clot. The purpose of such a test is to detect serum antibodies or antibody-like substances that appear specifically in association with certain diseases. The various types of serological tests include: (1) Flocculation tests, of which the complement-fixation tests are the most common. They are based on the precipitation, or flocculation, that takes place when antibody and specially prepared antigens are mixed together. (2) Neutralization tests, which depend on the capacity of antibody to neutralize the infectious properties of the infectious organisms. (3) Hemagglutinin-inhibition tests, which make use of the finding that certain viruses will cause the red blood cells of certain animal species to agglutinate (congeal, or clump together) and that this agglutination will be prevented by antibody.
3. There are two main types of COVID-19 tests.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing looks for the presence of the virus’ genetic material (RNA) on a nasal or throat swab. These tests can tell whether someone has an active infection.
The other type is serological testing. This type of blood test looks for the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system against SARS-CoV-2.
Antibodies help the body fight an infection and are specific to a virus, bacteria, or other pathogen.
4. Serological tests are based on antibody/antigen reactions and because antibodies are so specific for their antigen, these tests continue to become more and more useful as diagnostic tools in medicine.
5. A positive serologic test indicates that an individual is infected or has had an infection in the past.
S: 1. OED – https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=serological; https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=test (last access: 8 April 2020). 2. EncBrit – https://www.britannica.com/science/serological-test (last access: 8 April 2020). 3. Healthline – https://www.healthline.com/health-news/how-antibody-testing-can-help-us-fight-covid-19#What-is-an-immunity-test? (last access: 8 April 2020). 4&5. TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=serological+test&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 8 April 2020).
SYN: serologic test, serological assay, serologic assay.
S: TERMIUM PLUS – https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-eng.html?lang=eng&i=1&srchtxt=serological+test&index=alt&codom2nd_wet=1#resultrecs (last access: 8 April 2020)
CR: antibody, coronavirus, COVID-19, polymerase chain reaction, serology.
