LEUCOCYTOXIN Meaning and
Definition
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Leucocytoxin, also spelled leukocytotoxin, is a term used in the field of immunology and microbiology to describe a toxic substance produced by certain microorganisms that specifically targets and damages white blood cells, also known as leukocytes. White blood cells play a crucial role in the immune system, defending the body against infections and diseases. Leucocytoxin disrupts the normal functioning and integrity of these immune cells, thereby compromising the body's defense mechanisms.
Leucocytoxins are often synthesized by various pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, as part of their virulence arsenal. These toxins are typically proteins or peptide molecules that function by binding to specific receptors on the surface of white blood cells, leading to their destruction or impairment. Leucocytoxins may induce cell death, disrupt the cell membrane integrity, interfere with DNA synthesis, or trigger an immune response resulting in inflammation.
The consequences of leucocytoxin activity can be severe, as it weakens the immune response and makes the body more susceptible to infections. Leucocytoxin-mediated leukocyte destruction can contribute to the progression of various diseases, such as sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis.
Understanding the mechanisms and properties of leucocytoxins is crucial for medical researchers and healthcare professionals to develop strategies to combat these harmful substances. Efforts are made to decipher the molecular structures, function, and role of leucocytoxins in infectious diseases to develop targeted therapies or immunization strategies to mitigate their effects.
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Leucolysin, a toxin destructive to the leucocytes.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEUCOCYTOXIN
- keucocytoxin
- peucocytoxin
- oeucocytoxin
- lwucocytoxin
- lsucocytoxin
- lducocytoxin
- lrucocytoxin
- l4ucocytoxin
- l3ucocytoxin
- leycocytoxin
- lehcocytoxin
- lejcocytoxin
- leicocytoxin
- le8cocytoxin
- le7cocytoxin
- leuxocytoxin
- leuvocytoxin
- leufocytoxin
- leudocytoxin
- leucicytoxin
Etymology of LEUCOCYTOXIN
The word "leucocytoxin" is derived from two roots: "leuco" and "cytoxin".
1. "Leuco-" is derived from the Greek word "leukos", meaning "white". It is often used in scientific and medical terminology to denote something related to white blood cells.
2. "Cytotoxin" consists of two parts: "cyto-" and "-toxin". "Cyto-" is derived from the Greek word "kutos", meaning "cell". It is commonly used to refer to cells in scientific vocabulary. "-toxin" is derived from the Greek word "toxikon", which means "poison". In biology, a toxin is a substance capable of causing harm or damage to cells or organisms.
