antiserum

[ an-tuh-seer-uhm ]

noun

, plural an·ti·se·rums, an·ti·se·ra [an, -t, uh, -seer-, uh].

1. a serum containing antibodies, as antitoxins or agglutinins, obtained by inoculation of animals and used for injection into other animals to provide immunity to a specific disease.

antiserum

/ ˌæntɪˈsɪərəm /

noun

1. blood serum containing antibodies against a specific antigen, used to treat or provide immunity to a disease

antiserum

/ ăn′tĭ-sîr′əm /

, Plural antiserums

1. Human or animal serum containing one or more antibodies that are specific for one or more antigens and are administered to confer immunity. The antibodies in an antiserum result from previous immunization or exposure to an agent of disease.
2. See also acquired immunity

Word History and Origins

Origin of antiserum¹

First recorded in 1900–05; anti- + serum

Example Sentences

Indeed, more than a million doses of botulism antiserum were prepared (PDF) for D-Day soldiers invading Normandy Beach.

From The Daily Beast

The antiserum used for the precipitin reaction was obtained by treating a rabbit with human blood serum.

From Project Gutenberg

The Libby Photronreflectometer was used to measure the turbidities developed by the interaction of antigen and antiserum.

From Project Gutenberg

In every series of tests the amount of antiserum was held constant and the amount of antigen was varied.

From Project Gutenberg

Injection schedules used in the production of each antiserum are listed in Table 1.

From Project Gutenberg

In all but two instances more than one series of injections was necessary to produce a useful antiserum.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• antibody