LEUCOCIDIN Meaning and
Definition
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Leucocidin is a type of protein toxin produced by certain pathogenic microorganisms, particularly bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and some strains of Streptococcus pyogenes. The term "leucocidin" comes from the Latin words "leuco" meaning white, and "cidin" meaning to kill, reflecting its ability to destroy white blood cells.
Leucocidins specifically target and destroy a type of white blood cell known as leukocytes, which are crucial for the body's immune response against infection. These toxins disrupt the function and integrity of leukocytes, leading to their death. By targeting leukocytes, leucocidins impair the immune system's ability to fight off invading pathogens, allowing the bacteria to multiply and cause infection.
Leucocidins are generally composed of multiple protein components that work together to exert their toxic effects. They often act by forming pores or channels within the cell membrane of leukocytes, which disrupts the membrane function, causes leakage of cellular content, and leads to cell death.
The production of leucocidin is one of the virulence factors that contribute to the pathogenicity of bacteria. Infections caused by bacteria that produce leucocidins can result in a range of diseases, such as skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.
Understanding the role and mechanisms of leucocidins is important in developing strategies to combat bacterial infections and to design effective vaccines and therapeutic interventions.
Common Misspellings for LEUCOCIDIN
- keucocidin
- peucocidin
- oeucocidin
- lwucocidin
- lsucocidin
- lducocidin
- lrucocidin
- l4ucocidin
- l3ucocidin
- leycocidin
- lehcocidin
- lejcocidin
- leicocidin
- le8cocidin
- le7cocidin
- leuxocidin
- leuvocidin
- leufocidin
- leudocidin
- leucicidin
Etymology of LEUCOCIDIN
The word "leucocidin" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "leuko", meaning "white", and "cidin", meaning "to kill". Leukocytes, commonly known as white blood cells, are a type of immune cells that play a crucial role in defending the body against infections. Leucocidin refers to a toxin produced by certain bacteria that specifically targets and kills white blood cells. The term was coined based on the toxin's ability to cause lysis (cell death) of these protective immune cells.
Similar spelling words for LEUCOCIDIN
- loxodon,
- loxitane,
- lookstein,
- Leukocidin,
- lexden,
- laxton,
- Luxton,
- Logston,
- lexton,
- laxatin,
- Lexotan,
- Logstown,
- logsdon.
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