| alexin | An obsolete term for the bactericidal substances of cell-free serum, the activity of which is destroyed by heating at 56캜; applied by Bordet to the heat-labile substance normally present in serum and distinct from the sensitizing substance (antibody) produced by infection or immunization. In this sense it is synonymous with complement. Origin: G. Alexo, to ward off (05 Mar 2000) |
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| alexin unit | The smallest amount (highest dilution) of complement that will cause haemolysis of a unit of red blood cells in the presence of a haemolysin unit. Synonym: alexin unit. (05 Mar 2000) |