An attenuated microorganism that has lost its toxic qualities while retaining its ability to stimulate the production of antitoxins. Used to establish a temporary immunity.
A toxin which has been treated and is no longer poisonous, but which can still provoke the formation of antibodies. Toxoids are used as vaccines, and are injected into a patient to give immunity against specific diseases.
Toxin rendered harmless (by processes such as—in particular— formolization) but leaving intact its antibody-stimulating properties, the resultant product being a valuable prophylactic agent. Among other diseases, tetanus and diphtheria have been most successfully controlled by the use of their respective toxoids.
Weakened toxin that, when introduced into the body, causes antibody formation and the development of immunity to the specific disease caused by the toxin.
Common infection with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, transmitted to humans by contact with infected cats or then-feces or litter boxes or by eating poorly cooked meat containing cysts of the parasites. The infection often produces only mild illness with few or minimal symptoms, such as malaise, low-grade fever, and swollen lymph glands. However, it is dangerous if contracted by a pregnant woman because it can cause serious damage to the fetus.
A product prepared from bacterial toxins that has been treated so it is no longer toxic but can still stimulate the production of antitoxin against bacterial infections such as diphtheria or tetanus. It is therefore a useful agent in immunization.
A form of a toxin that has been made harmless by chemical treatment. Toxoids are used in the preparation of vaccines. A toxoid retains its ability to combine with or stimulate the formation of antitoxin, or an antibody produced in the body in response to the presence of a toxin. Toxoids can be formed by applying heat or a chemical agent to the original toxin.
A preparation of the poisonous material (toxin) that is produced by dangerous infective organisms, such as those of tetanus and diphtheria, and has been rendered harmless by chemical treatment while retaining its antigenic activity. Toxoids are used in vaccines.
A toxin which has been rendered non-toxic by certain chemicals, or by heat, or by being partly neutralized by antitoxin. The best-known example is diphtheria toxoid.
A toxin that has been chemically modified to retain its antigenicity but is no longer poisonous.
An immunization method involves the utilization of a vaccine, which is a formulation created from an inactivated form of exotoxin. This preparation, derived from the inactivation of a potent toxin produced by certain microorganisms, is administered to induce immunity against specific diseases. By introducing the inactivated exotoxin into the body, the immune system is prompted to recognize and mount a defensive response against the pathogen associated with the toxin. This proactive approach allows individuals to develop resistance to the targeted infectious agent, offering protection and reducing the likelihood of contracting the related illness.
A toxoid is an inactive form of a bacterial toxin. Some toxoids are utilized for immunization purposes against particular diseases, like tetanus.
A harmless substance resembling a toxin that, once injected, can stimulate the body to produce antibodies.