Antibody tests are useful to help track the spread of a contagious disease , disease that is readily spread. It can be very useful to identify those who should be vaccinated urgently, and to select the donors for convalescent plasma therapy. Antigens are molecules capable of stimulating or encouraging an immune system response. Each antigen has distinct surface features or structures called epitopes, generating specific responses. What are Antibody and Antigen ? An antibody (Ab), also known as an immunoglobulin (Ig), is a large, Y-shaped protein used by the immune system to identify and remove foreign objects such as pathogenic bacteria and viruses. These antibodies are produced by B cells of the immune system due to exposure to antigens. Each antibody contains a paratope which recognizes a specific 'epitope' on an antigen, acting like a lock and key binding mechanism. This binding makes possible to eliminate antigens from the body, either by direct neutralization or by ‘ta...
