Serological Analysis Group
Important Notice
Information regarding chikungunya, dengue, and Zika specimen submission
The guidance document for submission of chikungunya and dengue specimens to the DSHS Laboratory was recently updated to incorporate information on Zika specimen submission. This includes testing criteria for both Serology and PCR. Please refer to the new guidance document—Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika PCR and Serology Specimen Criteria—for details.
About Us
The Serological Analysis Group is responsible for testing patient's blood or serum for the presence of antibodies to or antigens from various disease organisms.
Antibodies are proteins that are produced by a human or animal host in response to a foreign substance known as an antigens. An antigen is usually a protein or carbohydrate, and it is part of an infectious agent such as a virus or bacterium. The antibody attaches to the antigen and aids the host in removing the infectious agent. Serology is the branch of medical science that deals with detecting the presence of a disease by detecting antibodies or antigens.