antitoxin
[an´tĭ-tok″sin] a particular kind of
antibody produced in the body in response to the presence of a toxin; see also
immunity. adj.,
adj an´titoxic.
botulism antitoxin an equine antitoxin against the toxins produced by the types A and B and/ or E strains of
Clostridium botulinum; administered intravenously in the postexposure prophylaxis and treatment of
botulism, other than
infant botulism. Generally trivalent (ABE) antitoxin is used.
diphtheria antitoxin equine antitoxin from horses immunized against
diphtheria toxin or the
toxoid; administered intramuscularly or intravenously in the treatment of suspected cases of diphtheria.
equine antitoxin an antitoxin derived from the blood of healthy horses immunized against a specific bacterial toxin.
tetanus antitoxin equine antitoxin from horses that have been immunized against
tetanus toxin or
toxoid; used for the passive prevention and treatment of tetanus. It is rarely used,
tetanus immune globulin being preferred.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.