pyrogen

American  

[pahy-ruh-juhn, -jen] / ˈpaɪ rə dʒən, -ˌdʒɛn /

noun

1. a substance, as a thermostable bacterial toxin, that produces a rise in temperature in a human or animal.

---

pyrogen British  

/ ˈpaɪrəʊˌdʒɛn /

noun

1. any of a group of substances that cause a rise in temperature in an animal body

---

pyrogen Scientific  

/ pī′rə-jən /

1. A polypeptide that produces fever by causing metabolic changes in the hypothalamus. Pyrogens are either exogenous (produced by infectious agents) or endogenous (produced by cells in the body such as macrophages).

---

Etymology

Origin of pyrogen

First recorded in 1855–60; pyro- + -gen

Example Sentences

The safety tests that the government says will no longer use animals by the end of this year include the practice of giving rabbits a small dose of a new drug – called the pyrogen test.

From BBC

The bank released a statement on Monday saying: “Gas pyrogens intended to extinguish fires opened and kept oxygen out resulting in injuries and death”.

From The Guardian

"Gas pyrogens intended to extinguish fires opened and kept oxygen out resulting in injuries and death," the bank said.

From Reuters