Antithymocyte globulin

Antithymocyte globulin (pronunciation: an-ti-thy-mo-cyte glo-bu-lin) is a type of immunosuppressive drug used primarily in the prevention and treatment of organ transplant rejection and in the treatment of certain blood disorders.

Etymology

The term "antithymocyte globulin" is derived from the Greek words anti meaning against, thymos meaning thymus gland, and globulin referring to a family of proteins. It is so named because it is a globulin protein that acts against the cells of the thymus gland, which are a vital part of the immune system.

Usage

Antithymocyte globulin is used in the prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following organ transplantation. It is also used in the treatment of aplastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow does not produce enough new cells to replenish blood cells.

Mechanism of Action

Antithymocyte globulin works by reducing the body's immune response. It does this by binding to the lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the thymus gland and causing them to die. This reduces the number of active immune cells in the body, which helps to prevent the body from rejecting a transplanted organ.

Side Effects

Common side effects of antithymocyte globulin include fever, chills, rash, and nausea. More serious side effects can include an allergic reaction, infection, and a decrease in blood cells.

Related Terms

• Immunosuppressive drug
• Organ transplant
• Graft-versus-host disease
• Aplastic anemia
• Lymphocytes

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Antithymocyte globulin
• Wikipedia's article - Antithymocyte globulin

This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.

---

Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski