OPSONIC THERAPY Meaning and
Definition
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Opsonic therapy is a medical treatment approach that focuses on enhancing the immune response against infections, particularly those caused by bacteria. The term "opsonic" refers to the process of altering microorganisms so that they can be more effectively targeted and eliminated by the body's immune system.
In this therapy, opsonins are used to promote the phagocytosis or engulfment of bacteria by immune cells known as phagocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages. Opsonins are substances produced by the host's immune system that facilitate the recognition and binding of these pathogens to the phagocytes, thereby increasing their susceptibility to destruction. Antibodies, complement proteins, and bacterial fragments are examples of opsonins involved in this process.
The therapy involves administration of opsonins in various forms, such as purified opsonins, opsonin-containing fluids, or opsonin-promoting drugs. By enhancing opsonization, opsonic therapy seeks to bolster the immune response to bacterial infections, aiding in the clearance of pathogens and preventing their spread.
Opsonic therapy is primarily utilized in cases where the patient's immune system is compromised or not sufficiently effective against the invading bacteria. It is commonly employed for individuals with immune deficiencies, chronic or recurrent bacterial infections, or those who are at a higher risk of developing severe infections.
The goal of opsonic therapy is to improve the patient's ability to combat bacterial infections by enhancing the immune response through the use of opsonins. This treatment approach provides an additional line of defense against bacterial pathogens and can contribute to the successful management of various infectious diseases.
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• Treatment of disease by stimulating the tissues to the production of specific opsonins; vaccine therapy.
• The treatment of an infectious disease by injection of killed cultures of the specific microorganism.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for OPSONIC THERAPY
- ipsonic therapy
- kpsonic therapy
- lpsonic therapy
- ppsonic therapy
- 0psonic therapy
- 9psonic therapy
- oosonic therapy
- olsonic therapy
- o-sonic therapy
- o0sonic therapy
- opaonic therapy
- opzonic therapy
- opxonic therapy
- opdonic therapy
- opeonic therapy
- opwonic therapy
- opsinic therapy
- opsknic therapy
- opslnic therapy
- opspnic therapy
Etymology of OPSONIC THERAPY
The word "opsonic therapy" is derived from two different sources: "opsonic" and "therapy".
The term "opsonic" originated from the Greek word "opsono" (ὀψωνός), which means "to prepare food for eating". The term was first used by the English scientist Sir Edward Albert Sharpey-Schafer in the late 19th century. He coined it to describe the role of certain substances in the blood that enhance the phagocytosis process, which is the engulfing and destruction of foreign particles or bacteria by immune cells. These substances, called opsonins, facilitate the recognition and destruction of pathogens by binding to them.
The second part of the word, "therapy", comes from the Greek word "therapeia" (θεραπεία), meaning "treatment" or "healing".
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