toxoid
(ˈtɒksɔɪd)
[f. toxin (cf. tox-1) + -oid.]
A modification or transformation product of a toxin, in which the toxophoric group of atoms is lost, and which has therefore no toxic effect, but retains affinity for the antitoxin. Also attrib.
| 1900 Lancet 18 Aug. 528/1 Very sensitive animals such as mice and guinea-pigs might..be easily and rapidily immunised against tetanus by means of toxoids only. 1902 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 29 Mar. 785 The modified toxin consists of a molecule with a haptophoric but no toxophoric group and is called ‘toxoid’. 1903 Ibid. 21 Mar. 654 The toxoids may again be subdivided into three groups, according to their affinity for the antitoxin, which may obviously be either greater (protoxoid), equal (syntoxoid), or less than (epitoxoid) that of the toxin. 1904 Ibid. 10 Sept. 577 They were however able to produce toxoid formation in this constituent. |