Seroconversion

Seroconversion is the development of detectable specific antibodies to microorganisms in the blood serum as a result of infection or immunization. Before the seroconversion point, the antigen is prevalent and the corresponding antibody is not detectable in sera. After seroconversion, the antibody becomes prevalent and the corresponding antigen is not any more detectable in sera. Antigen-antibody complexes (immune complexes) formed in organism are quickly removed by several immune mechanisms, so only the dominant party of an immune complex is detectable in blood sera.