ANTIGENIC VARIABILITIES
\ˌantɪd͡ʒˈɛnɪk vˌe͡əɹɪəbˈɪlɪtiz], \ˌantɪdʒˈɛnɪk vˌeəɹɪəbˈɪlɪtiz], \ˌa_n_t_ɪ_dʒ_ˈɛ_n_ɪ_k v_ˌeə_ɹ_ɪ__ə_b_ˈɪ_l_ɪ_t_i_z]\
Sort: Oldest first
-
Change in the surface antigen of a microorganism. There are two different types. One is a phenomenon, especially associated with the influenza virus, where it undergoes spontaneous antigenic variation both as slow antigenic drift and sudden emergence of a new strain (antigenic shift). The second type is when certain parasites, especially trypanosomes, plasmodia, and Borrelia, survive the immune response of the host by changing the surface coat (antigen switching). (From Herbert et al., The Dictionary of Immunology, 4th ed)
By DataStellar Co., Ltd
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.