immune globulin
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A type of protein, also known as an antibody, that is produced by plasma cells (derived from B-lymphocytes in lymph tissue) in vertebrate animals. These proteins circulate in the blood and other body fluids, where they bind to specific foreign substances like bacteria and viruses to help neutralize them and protect the body from infection and disease.
Usage
The term "immune globulin" refers to the general class of these antibody proteins. It is often used in medical and biological contexts. - Doctors administered immune globulin to boost the patient's passive immunity. - The study measured the levels of various immune globulins in the blood serum.
Advanced Usage
- Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG): A therapeutic preparation of antibodies pooled from many donors, administered intravenously to treat various immune deficiencies and autoimmune diseases.
- The patient receives monthly IVIG infusions for their primary immunodeficiency.
Variants and Related Words
- Immunoglobulin: This is a full synonym and the more precise scientific term. "Immune globulin" and "immunoglobulin" are used interchangeably.
- Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the most common type of antibody in the blood.
- Antibody: A direct synonym describing the function of an immune globulin.
- The vaccine stimulates the body to produce antibodies against the virus.
- Gamma Globulin: A historical term often used synonymously with immune globulin, referring to antibodies found in the gamma region of serum protein electrophoresis. It is also used for certain therapeutic preparations.
Synonyms
- Antibody
- Immunoglobulin
Related Phrases
- Immune globulin therapy: The clinical use of antibody preparations to prevent or treat disease.
- Immune globulin therapy is standard for rabies exposure after a bite.
- Immune globulin deficiency: A medical condition characterized by low levels of these antibodies.
- The child was diagnosed with an immune globulin deficiency.
Noun
- a class of proteins produced in lymph tissue in vertebrates and that function as antibodies in the immune response