Author: Glossary
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Antiburn scar garment
A carefully fitted garment of material with calibrated stretch characteristics worn to provide uniform pressure over burn graft sites in order to reduce scarring during healing.
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Antibody therapy
The creation of antibodies that target specific antigens; used to treat immunological deficiencies, some cancers, and organ transplant rejection. The antibodies are given by injection.
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Antibody-mediated rejection
Rejection of a transplanted organ resulting from the action of antibodies against antigens found on the endothelial surface of blood vessels.
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Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
The process by which phagocytes and natural killer cells bind with receptors on antibodies to destroy the antigens to which the antibodies are bound.
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Antibody combining site
The particular area on an antibody molecule to which part of an antigen links, creating an antigen-antibody reaction.
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Protective antibody
An antibody produced in response to an infectious disease.
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Polyclonal antibody
An antibody that reacts with many different antigens.
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Natural antibody
An antibody present in a person without known exposure to the specific antigen, such as an anti-A antibody in a person with B blood type.
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Maternal antibody
An antibody produced by the mother and transferred to the fetus in utero or during breastfeeding.
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Fluorescent antibody
An antibody that has been stained or marked by a fluorescent material. The fluorescent antibody technique permits rapid diagnosis of various infections. A technique that involves linking gamma-globulin proteins with a fluorescent dye, like fluorescein isothiocyanate, to aid in examining the arrangement of antigens within cells via microscopy.