antiserum

views updated May 29 2018

an·ti·se·rum / ˈantiˌsi(ə)rəm/ • n. (pl. -se·ra / -ˌsi(ə)rə/ ) a blood serum containing antibodies against specific antigens, injected to treat or protect against specific diseases.

antiserum

views updated Jun 08 2018

antiserum Serum containing antibodies, either raised against particular antigens, and hence of known specificity, or a broad mixture of antibodies. It is used to provide short-term passive immunity, e.g. against hepatitis A virus, and to treat an infection to which the patient has no immunity. Antisera may be obtained from large animals, such as horses, that have been inoculated with particular antigens, or from pooled donated human serum.

antiserum

views updated May 29 2018

antiserum An immune serum containing specific antibodies that is prepared from the blood of a human or of another animal that has been immunized against antigens from bacteria, viruses, or other parasites.

antiserum

views updated May 14 2018

antiserum An immune serum containing specific antibodies that is prepared from the blood of a human or of another animal that has been immunized against antigens from bacteria, viruses, or other parasites.

antiserum

views updated May 21 2018

antiserum (anti-seer-ŭm) n. (pl. antisera) a serum that contains antibodies against antigens of a particular kind; it may be injected to treat, or give temporary protection against, specific diseases. Antisera are prepared in large quantities in such animals as horses.