ANTISTREPTOOCCIN Meaning and
Definition
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Antistreptooccin, also known as ASO, is a medical term referring to an antibody that is produced in response to the presence of streptococcal bacteria in the body. Specifically, it is an antibody that targets and neutralizes the streptococcal enzymes called streptooccins. Streptococci are a group of bacteria belonging to the genus Streptococcus, which are known to cause a variety of infections in humans, including strep throat, scarlet fever, and certain types of skin infections.
The production of Antistreptooccin occurs when the body's immune system recognizes the streptococcal bacteria as foreign and activates B-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies. These ASO antibodies bind to the streptooccins and prevent them from further damaging tissues or spreading the infection.
The measurement of Antistreptooccin levels in a patient's blood can be used as a diagnostic tool to determine if there has been recent streptococcal infection. A rise in ASO titers is indicative of a past exposure to streptococcal bacteria. This information is particularly helpful in the diagnosis and management of conditions such as rheumatic fever and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which are potential complications of untreated streptococcal infections.
Overall, Antistreptooccin plays a crucial role in the body's immune response against streptococcal infections, helping to control the spread of the bacteria and minimize the damage they can cause.
Etymology of ANTISTREPTOOCCIN
The etymology of the word "Antistreptooccin" can be broken down as follows:
1. "Anti-" is a prefix meaning "against" or "opposite of".
2. "Strepto-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "strepastos", meaning "twisted" or "twisted chain-like". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to refer to bacteria belonging to the Streptococcus genus, which are characterized by their chain-like arrangement.
3. "Occin" is a suffix or combining form derived from the word "occi", which refers to cocci or spherical bacteria.
Overall, the word "Antistreptooccin" suggests a substance or agent that acts against or opposes the growth or activity of streptococci bacteria.
