serum /se·rum/ (sēr´um) pl. serums, se´ra [L.]
serum [se´rum] (pl. serums, se´ra) (L.)
1. the clear portion of any liquid separated from its more solid elements.
2. blood s.
3. antiserum.
antilymphocyte serum (ALS) antiserum derived from animals immunized against human lymphocytes; a powerful nonspecific immunosuppressive agent that causes destruction of circulating lymphocytes.
antirabies serum antiserum obtained from the blood serum or plasma of animals immunized with rabies vaccine; used for postexposure prophylaxis against rabies if rabies immune globulin is unavailable.
blood serum the clear liquid that separates from blood when it is allowed to clot completely, and is therefore blood plasma from which fibrogen has been removed during clotting.
foreign serum heterologous s.
heterologous serum
1. that obtained from an animal belonging to species different from that of the recipient.
2. that prepared from an animal immunized by an organism differing from that against which it is to be used.
homologous serum
1. that obtained from an animal belonging to the same species as the recipient.
2. that prepared from an animal immunized by the same organism against which it is to be used.
immune serum antiserum.
polyvalent serum antiserum containing antibody to more than one kind of antigen.
pooled serum the mixed serum from a number of individuals.
an·ti·lym·pho·cyte serum ( n t -l m f -s t, nt-)n. Abbr. ALS The globulin fraction of serum from a horse or another animal, usually used in conjunction with other immunosuppressive agents to suppress rejection of grafts or organ transplants. |
serum [se´rum] (pl. serums, se´ra) (L.)
the clear portion of any animal or plant fluid that remains after the solid elements have been separated out. The term usually refers to blood serum, the clear, straw-colored, liquid portion of the plasma that does not contain fibrinogen or blood cells, and remains fluid after clotting of blood. Blood serum from persons or animals whose bodies have built up antibodies is called antiserum or immune serum. Inoculation with such an antiserum provides temporary, or passive, immunity against the disease, and is used when a person has already been exposed to or has contracted the disease. Diseases in which passive immunization is sometimes used include diphtheria, tetanus, botulism, and gas gangrene.
antilymphocyte serum (ALS) antiserum derived from animals that have been immunized against human lymphocytes, a powerful nonspecific immunosuppressive agent that causes destruction of circulating lymphocytes.
antirabies serum antiserum obtained from the blood serum or plasma of animals immunized with rabies vaccine; used for postexposure prophylaxis against rabies if rabies immune globulin is unavailable.
blood grouping s's preparations containing particular antibodies against red cell antigens, used for blood typing. Those most commonly used are the anti-A and anti-B blood grouping serums used to determine ABO blood types and the anti-Rh blood grouping serums (anti-D, anti-C, anti-E, anti-c, and anti-e) used to determine Rh blood types.
serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) see aspartate transaminase.
serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) see alanine transaminase.
immune serum antiserum.
pooled serum the mixed serum from a number of individuals.
serum sickness a hypersensitivity reaction following the administration of foreign serum or other antigens; it is marked by urticarial rashes, edema, adenitis, joint pains, high fever, and prostration. Reactions to tetanus antitoxin derived from horse serum were especially common but are now rare owing to refinement of the antigenic components.
serum sickness syndrome a serum sickness–like hypersensitivity reaction occurring after the administration of certain drugs. It is marked clinically by low-grade fever, urticaria, facial edema, pain and swelling of the joints, and lymphadenopathy, and occasionally may be associated with neuritis of the brachial plexus, guillain-barré syndrome, periarteritis nodosa, and nephritis.
antilymphocyte serum
antiserum containing antibodies specific for lymphocyte surface antigens that may be used to suppress delayed type hypersensitivity, particularly graft rejection, responses without affecting humoral immune response; abbreviated ALS. Used in organ transplantation, usually in combination with immunosuppressive drugs. Prepared by hyperimmunizing an animal, e.g. horse, with foreign, e.g. human, lymphocytes. See also antilymphocyte globulin.
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