attenuation (redirected from Attentuate)

attenuation /at·ten·u·a·tion/ (ah-ten?u-a´shun) the act of thinning or weakening, as (a) the alteration of virulence of a pathogenic microorganism by passage through another host species, decreasing the virulence of the organism for the native host and increasing it for the new host, or (b) the process by which a beam of radiation is reduced in energy when passed through tissue or other material.

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at·ten·u·a·tion (-tny-shn)

n.

1. A dilution, thinning, or weakening of a substance, especially a reduction in the virulence of a pathogen through repeated inoculation, growth in a different culture medium, or exposure to heat, light, air, or other weakening agents.

2. The energy loss of an ultrasonic beam as it passes through a material.

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attenuation,

n 1. reduction in concentration.
2. decrease in the ability of a pathogenic organism to cause disease.

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attenuation (ten´yōōā´shn),

n 1. to make thinner, weaker, or less virulent.
2. the process by which a beam of radiation is reduced in energy when passing through some material.

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attenuation

1. the act of thinning or weakening.

2. reduction in the virulence of a pathogenic microorganism induced by passage through another host species, decreasing its virulence for the native host and increasing it for the new host. Some attenuated strains of microorganisms may occur naturally. The possibility now exists of using genetic engineering to attenuate microorganisms in defined ways. Attenuated organisms are used as live vaccines. See also attenuated vaccine.

3. the change in a beam of radiation or sound beam as it passes through matter. The intensity of the electromagnetic radiation decreases as its depth of penetration increases. A sound beam becomes weaker as it travels through tissue.