What type of test(s) would not be conducted if you suspect a patient has contracted plague?

Blood tests are not typically used to diagnose plague because they are not always reliable. In the early stages of the disease, blood tests may not be able to detect the presence of the plague bacteria. In addition, blood tests can sometimes give false-positive results, meaning that the test indicates that the person has plague when they do not.

Serology tests are not typically used to diagnose plague because they are not sensitive enough. Serology tests measure the levels of antibodies in the blood that are produced in response to infection. However, in the case of plague, the levels of antibodies may not be high enough to be detected by a serology test.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are becoming increasingly common for diagnosing plague because they are highly sensitive and specific. PCR tests can detect the presence of the plague bacteria even in very small amounts. This makes them ideal for diagnosing plague in the early stages of the disease, when other tests may not be able to detect it.