Antibiotic resistance
The ability of bacteria and other microorganisms to resist the effects of an antibiotic to which they were once sensitive. Antibiotic resistance is a major concern of overuse of antibiotics. Also known as drug resistance.
Read Also:
- Antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis
Antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis: See: Tuberculosis, antibiotic-resistant.
- Antibody
Antibody: An immunoglobulin, a specialized immune protein, produced because of the introduction of an antigen into the body, and which possesses the remarkable ability to combine with the very antigen that triggered its production. The production of antibodies is a major function of the immune system and is carried out by a type of white […]
- Antibody cross reactivity
Antibody cross reactivity: The ability of an antibody to react with similar antigenic sites on different proteins.
- Antibody, antinuclear
Antibody, antinuclear: An unusual antibody that is directed against structures within the nucleus of the cell. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are found in patients whose immune system is predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. Antibodies that are directed against one’s own tissues are referred to as autoantibodies. The propensity for the immune system […]
- Antibody, antithyroglobulin
Antibody, antithyroglobulin: An antibody directed against thyroglobulin which is a key protein in the thyroid gland essential to the production of thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine). Antithyroglobulin antibodies can damage the thyroid gland and affect its function. Testing for antithyroglobulin antibodies in the blood is useful in the diagnosis of some thyroid and other disorders. […]