antiserum

[ an-tuh-seer-uhm ]

noun

, plural an·ti·se·rums, an·ti·se·ra [an, -t, uh, -seer-, uh].

1. a serum containing antibodies, as antitoxins or agglutinins, obtained by inoculation of animals and used for injection into other animals to provide immunity to a specific disease.

antiserum

/ ˌæntɪˈsɪərəm /

noun

1. blood serum containing antibodies against a specific antigen, used to treat or provide immunity to a disease

antiserum

/ ăn′tĭ-sîr′əm /

, Plural antiserums

1. Human or animal serum containing one or more antibodies that are specific for one or more antigens and are administered to confer immunity. The antibodies in an antiserum result from previous immunization or exposure to an agent of disease.
2. See also acquired immunity

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiserum¹

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + serum

Example Sentences

In the late 1800s, an effective treatment with an antiserum was developed.

From Seattle Times

“The antibodies described here are promising candidates” to replace horse antiserum, the scientists write in a paper published today in Scientific Reports.

From Science Magazine

If you had smallpox, you’ve got about 10 days to provide vaccines and antiserum. and we’ve got enough vaccine to provide for everyone in the United States.

From The Verge

Of those, the researchers selected 44 especially well-preserved artifacts and subjected them to antiserum testing looking for proteins, specifically proteins from animals—most specifically proteins from animals that would have been used for food.

From Time

"The other possibility I'm trying to work on is to develop an antiserum from horses – the way we do with rabies – for women we know are pregnant."

From US News

Related Words

• antibody