alexin Biochem.
(əˈlɛksɪn)
Also alexine.
[a. G. alexin (H. Buchner 1891, in Münchener Med. Wochenschr. XXXVIII. 437/1, in form alexine), f. Gr. ἀλέξειν to ward off + -in1.]
A name for a class of substances found in blood-serum, having the capacity of destroying bacteria, etc., and thus guarding against infection; spec. = addiment, complement n. 5 i.
| 1892 Brit. Med. Jrnl. ii. 728/2 Proteid substances capable of killing bacteria, and now known as alexins, can be obtained from the bodies of various animals. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 568 Buchner..suggested that the destructive power of serum is due to certain proteid substances, to which, unfortunately, he gave the name of alexins. 1901 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXXX. ii. 256 Alexin is found in larger quantity in the polynuclear leucocytes than in normal blood serum of dogs and rabbits. 1904 [see thermolabile a.]. 1949 H. W. Florey et al. Antibiotics I. i. 62 The bacilli so treated formed an excellent antigen for the fixation of alexine. |