| hemolysis | <haematology> Disruption of the integrity of the red cell membrane causing release of haemoglobin. Haemolysis may be caused by bacterial haemolysins, by antibodies that cause complement dependent lysis, by placing red cells in a hypotonic solution or by defects in the red cell membrane. Origin: Gr. Lysis = dissolution (18 Nov 1997) |
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| viridans haemolysis | See: a' haemolysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Streptococcus viridans | A name applied not to a distinct species but rather to the group of alpha-haemolytic streptococci as a whole; viridans streptococci have been isolated from the mouth and intestines of humans, the intestines of horses, the milk and faeces of cows, milk and milk products, and the sputum and lungs in cases of primary atypical pneumonia. (05 Mar 2000) |