Opsonotherapy is a medical procedure requiring precise spelling. The word is spelled as "op-son-o-ther-a-pe", using the IPA phonetic transcription [ɑpˌsɑnəˈθɛrəpi]. The first syllable starts with an open back unrounded vowel 'ɑ', followed by a stop consonant 'p', and a fricative 's' sound. The second syllable has the same 's' sound, a nasal 'n', and a mid-central vowel 'ə'. The third syllable starts with a voiceless dental fricative 'θ', followed by a mid-central vowel 'ɛ' and a trilled 'r'. Finally, the last syllable ends with a liquid 'ɑ' and a voiced bilabial plosive 'p'.
Opsonotherapy is a medical treatment approach that involves the use of vaccines or serum preparations to enhance the immune response against specific microorganisms or toxins. It is primarily used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by bacteria.
In opsonotherapy, the vaccines or sera used contain specific antibodies or opsonins that facilitate the process of phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is a vital mechanism by which immune cells, such as neutrophils and macrophages, engulf and destroy foreign invaders, including bacteria. Opsonins serve as markers or binding molecules that help immune cells recognize and target pathogens for destruction.
The goal of opsonotherapy is to stimulate the immune system to produce a stronger and more efficient response against the targeted microorganism. This can be achieved by either injecting the patient with vaccines that contain attenuated or inactivated forms of the pathogen, or by administering serum preparations that contain antibodies against the pathogen.
Opsonotherapy has been used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and urinary tract infections. It has also been used in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by Clostridium tetani (tetanus) and Corynebacterium diphtheriae (diphtheria).
Opsonotherapy is a significant advancement in the field of immunotherapy, as it harnesses the body's natural defense mechanisms to combat infectious diseases. However, it is important to note that opsonotherapy is not a standalone treatment and is typically used in conjunction with other medical interventions, such as antibiotics, to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Opsonic therapy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "opsonotherapy" is derived from two Greek roots: "opsis", meaning "preparation" or "substance", and "therapeia", meaning "treatment". In medical terminology, "opsonein" refers to the process of immune response or enhancement, specifically the attraction and stimulation of phagocytic cells to ingest pathogens or foreign particles. Therefore, "opsonotherapy" can be broken down as "opsono" (related to opsonin) + "therapy" (treatment), referring to a form of treatment that aims to enhance the body's immune response using opsonins or similar substances.