LEUCOTOXIN Meaning and
Definition
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Leucotoxin is a noun that refers to a toxic substance produced by certain bacteria that can cause extensive damage to white blood cells, specifically leukocytes. White blood cells play a crucial role in the body's immune response, defending against infections and foreign invaders. Leucotoxins are primarily produced by pathogenic bacteria and are considered virulence factors that aid in the bacteria's ability to establish infection and evade the host's immune system.
When leucotoxins are released, they can bind to specific receptors on the surface of white blood cells, leading to their destruction. The toxin disrupts the normal functioning of leukocytes, impeding their ability to engulf and destroy invading pathogens effectively. This impairment weakens the immune response, allowing bacteria to proliferate and spread throughout the body.
Exposure to leucotoxin may result in a variety of harmful effects, including tissue damage, inflammation, and suppression of the immune system. In some cases, the toxin is capable of killing white blood cells, resulting in a condition known as leukocidin. Leucotoxins have been implicated in several bacterial infections, including skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.
Understanding the mechanisms and effects of leucotoxins is significant in developing strategies to combat bacterial infections and develop targeted therapeutics. Research into neutralizing or blocking the damaging effects of leucotoxins may prove valuable in treating or preventing bacterial infections caused by organisms that produce these toxins.
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A cytotoxin specific for white bloodcells, leucolysin, leucocidin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEUCOTOXIN
- keucotoxin
- peucotoxin
- oeucotoxin
- lwucotoxin
- lsucotoxin
- lducotoxin
- lrucotoxin
- l4ucotoxin
- l3ucotoxin
- leycotoxin
- lehcotoxin
- lejcotoxin
- leicotoxin
- le8cotoxin
- le7cotoxin
- leuxotoxin
- leuvotoxin
- leufotoxin
- leudotoxin
- leucitoxin
Etymology of LEUCOTOXIN
The word "leucotoxin" is derived from two Greek roots: "leuko" meaning "white", and "toxon" meaning "poison" or "toxin". The term was coined to specifically refer to a group of bacterial toxins that target white blood cells, which are typically involved in immune responses.
Similar spelling words for LEUCOTOXIN
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