antiserum

American  

[an-tuh-seer-uhm] / ˈæn təˌsɪər əm /

noun

plural

antiserums, antisera

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.

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antiserum British  

/ ˌæntɪˈsɪərəm /

noun

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

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antiserum Scientific  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of antiserum

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + serum

Example Sentences

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

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

Food and Drug Administration to replace an aging stockpile of diphtheria antiserum from horses kept at the U.S.

From Science Magazine • Jan. 17, 2020

“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 • Jan. 17, 2020

"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 • Jan. 25, 2016

More than two series, however, resulted in little or no improvement of the reactivity of the antiserum.

From Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae A Taxonomic Study by Stallcup, William B.

Related Words

• antibody