| opsonation | A catering; a buying of provisions. Origin: L. Opsonatio. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| opsonic | Relating to opsonins or to their utilization. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonic index | A value that indicates the relative content of opsonin in the blood of a person with an infectious disease, as evaluated in vitro in comparison with presumably normal blood; the opsonic index is calculated from the following equation: phagocytic index of normal serum ÷ phagocytic index of test serum = 1 ÷ x, where x represents the opsonic index. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonin | <protein> Substance that binds to the surface of a particle and enhances the uptake of the particle by a phagocyte. Probably the most important in mammals derive from complement (C3b or C3bi) or immunoglobulins which are bound through the Fc receptor). (18 Nov 1997) |
| opsonisation | A process through which a cell or microbe is treated with opsonin to make it more vulnerable to being engulfed by a phagocyte. Often done simply by incubating particles (e.g. Zymosan) with fresh serum. (13 Oct 1997) |
| opsonization | The process by which bacteria are altered in such a manner that they are more readily and more efficiently engulfed by phagocytes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonocytophagic | Pertaining to the increased efficiency of phagocytic activity of the leukocytes in blood that contains specific opsonin. Origin: opsonin + G. Kytos, a hollow (cell), + phago, to eat (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonometry | Determination of the opsonic index or the opsonocytophagic activity. (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonophilia | The condition in which bacteria readily unite with opsonins, thereby sensitizing them for more effective phagocytosis. Origin: opsonin + G. Phileo, to love (05 Mar 2000) |
| opsonophilic | Pertaining to, characterised by, or resulting in opsonophilia. (05 Mar 2000) |