Adjuvant
Adjuvant (pronounced: /ˈædʒʊvənt/) is a term used in medicine to describe a substance that enhances the body's immune response to an antigen. The word originates from the Latin word adjuvare, which means to help or aid.
Etymology
The term adjuvant comes from the Latin word adjuvare, which means to help or aid. In the context of medicine, an adjuvant helps by enhancing the body's immune response to an antigen.
Types of Adjuvants
There are several types of adjuvants used in medicine, including:
- Aluminum salts: These are the most commonly used adjuvants in vaccines. They help to stimulate the immune system and increase the effectiveness of the vaccine.
- Oil emulsions: These are used in some vaccines to help stimulate a stronger immune response.
- Cytokines: These are proteins that help to regulate the immune response. They can be used as adjuvants to enhance the effectiveness of vaccines.
- Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL): This is a derivative of a bacterial cell wall component that can stimulate the immune system.
Related Terms
- Antigen: A substance that triggers an immune response in the body.
- Vaccine: A substance used to stimulate the body's immune response against specific diseases.
- Immunology: The study of the immune system and its response to threats.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Adjuvant
- Wikipedia's article - Adjuvant
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