serotype

A serotype is a specific variation within a microbial species, like bacteria or viruses, classified based on differences in their surface structures, such as proteins or sugars. These surface features determine how the immune system recognizes and responds to them. For example, the bacteria that cause meningitis have different serotypes, which can affect how serious the infection is and how vaccines are developed. Knowing the serotype helps scientists and doctors understand, prevent, and treat infections more effectively by identifying and targeting specific versions of a microorganism.