Glossary

Author: Glossary

  • Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis

    A laboratory test of antibody levels in which serum from a sensitized individual is injected into the skin. Intravenous injection of an antigen accompanied by Evan’s blue dye at a later time reacts with the antibodies produced in response to the antigen, creating a wheal and blue spot at the site, indicating local anaphylaxis.  

  • Passive anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis induced by injection of serum from a sensitized animal into a normal one. After a few hours the latter becomes sensitized.  

  • Local anaphylaxis

    A reaction between IgE antibodies bound to mast cells and an allergen that is limited to a small part of the body. Localized edema and urticaria (hives) result and may vary in intensity.  

  • Aggregate anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis stimulated by the presence of antigen-antibody complexes in the blood, which in turn cleave complement and degranulate (lose granules) mast cells and basophils.  

  • Active anaphylaxis

    Anaphylaxis resulting from injection of an antigen.  

  • Anaphylactoid reaction

    A reaction that resembles anaphylaxis (e.g., characterized by hives, angioedema, laryngeal edema, or shock) but does not involve IgE antibodies or allergens and therefore is without an allergic basis.  

  • Anaphrodite

    A person with impaired or absent sexual desire.  

  • Anaphrodisia

    Diminished or absent desire for sex.  

  • Anaphoria

    The tendency of the eyeballs to turn upward.  

  • Anamorph

    The asexual state of fungi (i.e., the state in which fungi reproduce by mitosis rather than by the union of two cell nuclei and meiosis). Fungi that reproduce anamorphically are said to be “imperfect” fungi. Fungi that reproduce sexually are said to be “perfect.”