What are the limitations of serological testing in diagnosing infectious diseases?

Serological testing has limitations in diagnosing infectious diseases, including:

1. False negatives: Early infection, immune suppression, or poor immune response can lead to false-negative results.

2. False positives: Cross-reactivity, previous exposure, or vaccination can cause false-positive results.

3. Window period: There’s a delay between infection and antibody detection, leading to false-negative results during the early stages.

4. Limited sensitivity and specificity: Tests may not detect all cases or may confuse with other infections.