Antisera

/ˌæntiːˈsɪərə/ noun

Definition

Plural of antiserum; blood serum containing antibodies against specific antigens, used to treat or prevent disease.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + sera (plural of serum, from Latin serum, whey or thin liquid). Antisera became crucial in immunology and medicine after scientists discovered they could isolate disease-fighting antibodies and use them therapeutically.

Kelly Says

Antisera were some of the first pharmaceutical products created intentionally to fight disease—doctors would inject serum from vaccinated animals into sick humans, which is why snake antivenom literally comes from immunizing horses with snake poison.

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