pyrogen

[pahy-ruh-juhn, -jen]

noun

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

pyrogen

/ ˈpaɪrəʊˌdʒɛn /

noun

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

pyrogen

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).

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyrogen¹

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.

Read more on 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”.

Read more on The Guardian

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

Read more on Reuters