Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
alloantibody

alloantibody

9.9
A protein made by the immune system that attacks another person's blood or organ
  • noun
  • /ˌæloʊˈæntɪˌbɑdi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aloanticuerpo
  • The patient developed alloantibodies after receiving a blood transfusion from a genetically different donor.
  • develop alloantibodies

Examples

  • In this study, all patients at some time developed detectable warm autoantibodies against red cells and required transfusion therapy for anemia, and 23 patients developed alloantibodies secondary to blood transfusion.

    Academic text (1992)

  • By contrast, of the remaining 26 patients who initially presented with a negative direct AGT, 3 developed warm autoantibodies alone, and 23 patients developed both alloantibodies and autoantibodies after red cell transfusions (Table III).

    Academic text (1992)

  • High levels of alloantibodies can complicate organ transplants by triggering rejection of the donated organ.

  • Doctors monitor for alloantibodies in patients who have had multiple blood transfusions to prevent adverse reactions.

Synonyms

isoantibody
vsalloantibody
  • Specialized
9.9

An antibody made by one person that attacks another person's blood or body cells

focuses on reactions to antigens from genetically different donors, including transfusions and transplants

Surface Forms

alloantibody singular
alloantibodies plural

Morphology

alloantibody = antibody (semi-transparent) = allo + antibody

The word is compositionally 'allo' + 'antibody', so the general idea 'antibody to/against other individuals' is derivable, but 'allo-' is a specialized combining form not known to most B1 learners.

Etymology

The word alloantibody starts with allo-, which means 'other', and ends with antibody, made of anti- 'against' and body. So an alloantibody is an antibody that attacks blood or organs from another person, which is why doctors check for it before transfusions and transplants.