HETEROAGGLUTININ Meaning and
Definition
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Heteroagglutinin is a term used in immunology and serology to describe a type of agglutinin that acts specifically against cells or particles of a different species or origin. It refers to an antibody or substance that has the ability to cause agglutination, which is the clumping together of cells or particles, but only when they are from a different species.
In the field of immunology, agglutination is an important reaction used to identify and characterize different antigens and antibodies. Heteroagglutinins are particularly useful in serological tests where they can detect and distinguish various types and subtypes of microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses. These heteroagglutinins can be present in the serum of individuals due to previous exposure to certain infectious agents or through immunization.
Heteroagglutinins are often used in blood typing and cross-matching procedures. In blood transfusion medicine, heteroagglutinins are responsible for blood compatibility testing between donors and recipients. By identifying the presence or absence of specific heteroagglutinins, healthcare professionals can determine the compatibility of blood samples, ensuring safe and successful transfusions.
Overall, heteroagglutinin plays a significant role in immunologic and serologic investigations, aiding in the identification and classification of various antigens and antibodies, as well as contributing to crucial medical procedures like blood typing and transfusion compatibility testing.
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An agglutinin formed as the result of the injection of an antigen derived from an animal of a different species; distinguished from isoagglutinin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROAGGLUTININ
- geteroagglutinin
- beteroagglutinin
- neteroagglutinin
- jeteroagglutinin
- ueteroagglutinin
- yeteroagglutinin
- hwteroagglutinin
- hsteroagglutinin
- hdteroagglutinin
- hrteroagglutinin
- h4teroagglutinin
- h3teroagglutinin
- hereroagglutinin
- heferoagglutinin
- hegeroagglutinin
- heyeroagglutinin
- he6eroagglutinin
- he5eroagglutinin
- hetwroagglutinin
- hetsroagglutinin
Etymology of HETEROAGGLUTININ
The word "heteroagglutinin" is derived from Greek roots. The prefix "hetero-" means "different" or "other", while "agglutinin" refers to a substance that causes particles or cells to clump together. The combining of these two roots gives "heteroagglutinin", which refers to a substance that causes clumping or agglutination specifically when interacting with different or foreign particles or cells.
