How Do You Spell POLYVALENT SERUM?

1. Polyvalent serum refers to a type of biological product that contains a mixture of antibodies capable of recognizing multiple antigens. It is typically derived from the blood of animals, primarily horses or sheep, that have been immunized with various disease-causing agents or toxins. This serum is harvested from the animals after their immune system has produced a strong and diverse immune response.

   The term "polyvalent" indicates that the serum contains a broad range of antibodies that can neutralize different strains or variants of a particular pathogen. It provides protection against multiple strains or types of microorganisms, making it a valuable tool for treating infectious diseases caused by a variety of pathogens.

   Polyvalent serum is commonly used for passive immunization, which involves the administration of pre-formed antibodies to confer immediate protection against specific infections. It can be a crucial therapeutic option in the absence of vaccines or when the available vaccines do not cover all circulating strains or types of a particular pathogen.

   The administration of polyvalent serum can provide temporary immunity by binding to and neutralizing the antigens or toxins produced by different pathogens. This helps to prevent the progression of infections and mitigate their symptoms, reducing the severity and duration of the illness. However, it is important to note that the duration of protection conferred by polyvalent serum is temporary, as the administered antibodies eventually degrade and are cleared from the body.

   In summary, polyvalent serum is a mixture of antibodies derived from animals immunized with various pathogens, capable of neutralizing multiple strains or types of microorganisms, and used for passive immunization against infectious diseases.

2. • A serum containing antibodies produced by the injection of several strains of the same species of microorganism.

   • An antiserum obtained by inoculating an animal with several species or strains of the bacterium in question.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for POLYVALENT SERUM

The word "polyvalent serum" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.

The term "polyvalent" derives from the Latin word "polyvalēns", which is a combination of "poly", meaning "many", and "valēre", meaning "to be strong". Therefore, "polyvalent" means "having many strengths", or "having multiple functions or actions".

The word "serum" comes from the Latin word "serum", which means "whey" or "liquid portion". In medical terms, "serum" refers to a clear, yellowish fluid component of blood that remains after the removal of blood cells and clotting factors.

When combined, "polyvalent" and "serum" create the term "polyvalent serum", which refers to a specialized type of serum that contains multiple antibodies or antigens capable of acting against a variety of infectious agents or toxins.