HYPERIMMUNE SERUM Meaning and
Definition
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First, let's define the term "serum." Serum refers to the liquid component of blood that remains after the removal of cells, clotting factors, and fibrinogen during the process of clotting. It contains various proteins, antibodies, hormones, and other substances that serve different purposes within the body.
Now, let's delve into the definition of "hyperimmune serum." Hyperimmune serum is a specialized type of serum that is derived from the blood of animals or humans that have been immunized against a specific antigen or pathogen. This process involves exposing the immune system to the antigen, triggering the production of specific antibodies that target and neutralize the antigen.
The resulting hyperimmune serum is rich in high concentrations of these specific antibodies, which makes it a valuable therapeutic substance for the treatment or prevention of diseases caused by the targeted antigen. Hyperimmune serum is typically used to confer immediate passive immunity to individuals who have been exposed to or are at risk of contracting a particular infection or disease.
The administration of hyperimmune serum provides a temporary boost to the immune system of the recipient by introducing a concentrated source of specific antibodies that can recognize, attach to, and neutralize the targeted pathogen. By doing so, hyperimmune serum aids in the body's defense against the antigen, enhancing its ability to fight off the infection or reduce the severity of the disease.
Hyperimmune serum is used in the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases, including rabies, hepatitis B, tetanus, and botulism. It plays a crucial role in passive immunization strategies, especially when rapid and immediate protection is required, such as to prevent the progression of disease in high-risk individuals or as a prophylactic measure in outbreak situations.
Common Misspellings for HYPERIMMUNE SERUM
- gyperimmune serum
- byperimmune serum
- nyperimmune serum
- jyperimmune serum
- uyperimmune serum
- yyperimmune serum
- htperimmune serum
- hgperimmune serum
- hhperimmune serum
- huperimmune serum
- h7perimmune serum
- h6perimmune serum
- hyoerimmune serum
- hylerimmune serum
- hy0erimmune serum
- hypwrimmune serum
- hypsrimmune serum
- hypdrimmune serum
- hyprrimmune serum
- hyp4rimmune serum
Etymology of HYPERIMMUNE SERUM
The etymology of the term "hyperimmune serum" can be broken down as follows:
1. Hyper-: This prefix comes from the Greek word "hyper", meaning "above" or "beyond". In modern usage, it is commonly used to imply excess or overactivity.
2. Immune: This word is derived from the Latin word "immunis", which means "exempt" or "free". It refers to the body's ability to resist or defend against diseases or foreign substances by producing specific antibodies.
3. Serum: Derived from the Latin word "serum", meaning "whey" or "liquid whey". In the context of biology or medicine, it refers to the clear, fluid portion of the blood that remains after clotting.
Therefore, "hyperimmune serum" refers to a serum that contains an increased or augmented level of antibodies, indicating a stronger or heightened immune response.
