Histo spot
A small circular punched-out spot in the retina at a site where spores of the fungus histoplasma (histo) seeded in the eye. Histo spots may be multiple, found in both eyes, and scattered throughout the retina. Histo spots in the macula are significant since they may stimulate the growth of abnormal new blood vessels located under the retina. These new blood vessels may suddenly bleed, causing permanent macular scarring and impairing central vision. If the process is detected at an early stage, it may be successfully treated with focal retinal laser.
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- Histo-
Tissue. As in histocompatible (tissue compatible) and histology (the study of tissues, especially under the microscope).
- Histocompatible
Literally, tissue compatible, meaning that the tissue can exist together with tissue of another organism without the immune system rejecting it. If a tissue donor and tissue recipient are histocompatible, a transplant is expected to be easily accepted.
- Histocompatibility
Literally, tissue compatibility. With full histocompatibility between a donor and recipient, tissue can be transplanted without being seen as foreign and being attacked by the immune system of the recipient.
- Histone
A protein around which DNA coils to form chromatin. Without histones, DNA could not organize into chromosomes.
- Histoplasma
histoplasma capsulatum. A microscopic fungus that causes the disease histoplasmosis. See histoplasmosis.