serotype

noun

se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp How to pronounce serotype (audio) ˈser- How to pronounce serotype (audio)
: a group of intimately related microorganisms distinguished by a common set of antigens
also : the set of antigens characteristic of such a group

Examples of serotype in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But those same antibodies can bind to viruses of a different serotype, facilitating their entry and causing more severe illness. Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 And because the virus comes in four varieties, or serotypes, natural immunity after one illness does not protect against future infections with other types. Sarah Kaplan, Washington Post, 30 June 2024 There are four strains of the virus, or serotypes, according to the World Health Organization. Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024 So when a person develops antibodies in response to one dengue serotype and then becomes infected with another, the body tries to fight the second infection with the antibodies from the first and fails, while the infection worsens. Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 20 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for serotype 

Word History

Etymology

sero- + type entry 1

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of serotype was in 1946

Dictionary Entries Near serotype

Cite this Entry

“Serotype.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serotype. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

serotype

1 of 2 noun
se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp How to pronounce serotype (audio) ˈser- How to pronounce serotype (audio)
1
: a group of intimately related microorganisms distinguished by a common set of antigens
2
: the set of antigens characteristic of a serotype
serotypic adjective
serotypically adverb

serotype

2 of 2 transitive verb
serotyped; serotyping
: to determine the serotype of
serotype streptococci
serotyped isolates from 100 patients
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