seronegative

[ seer-oh-neg-uh-tiv ]

adjective

, Medicine/Medical.

1. showing no significant level of serum antibodies, or other immunologic marker in the serum, that would indicate previous exposure to the infectious agent being tested.

seronegative

/ ˌsɪərəʊˈnɛɡətɪv /

adjective

1. (of a person whose blood has been tested for a specific disease, such as AIDS) showing no serological reaction indicating the presence of the disease

Word History and Origins

Origin of seronegative¹

First recorded in 1930–35; sero- + negative

Example Sentences

In 2014, the rheumatologist diagnosed possible seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, an uncommon form of the disease.

From Washington Post

They found evidence to support this theory: a far higher proportion of the seronegative participants had T cells that recognize this complex than did health-care workers who got COVID-19.

From Scientific American

The researchers noticed that in 20 of these ‘seronegative’ participants, T cells had multiplied—a sign that the immune system might be gearing up to fight an infection.

From Scientific American

Of those eligible patients, antibody testing will initially be used to determine whether they are seronegative - meaning those who do not have an adequate existing antibody response - and will therefore be eligible for treatment.

From BBC

About one third of the patients were seronegative when they entered the trial, meaning they did not produce antibodies themselves.

From Science Magazine