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.

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pyrogen British  

/ ˈpaɪrəʊˌdʒɛn /

noun

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

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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).

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Etymology

Origin of pyrogen

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

Example Sentences

As long as the pyrogen levels continue to increase and decrease you will feel like you are swinging back and forth.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

When pyrogen levels dip, you get the other part of the fever experience: “the sweats” and feeling flushed.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The increase in pyrogen chemicals in the blood is stimulating the receptors that reset the upper temperature limit for a febrile response.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Unfortunately during some infections, pyrogen levels come in “waves.”

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015