serotype

noun

se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp How to pronounce serotype (audio)
ˈser-
: 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 Lingering questions There are nearly 50 serotypes of C. jejuni and 23 classes of LOSs that coat them, helping to explain why the common cause of gastroenteritis only rarely causes GBS. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 July 2023 There are four serotypes of dengue, numbered 1 through 4. Helen Branswell, STAT, 11 July 2023 Ohio, Michigan, Georgia, and Alabama saw most of the action from the Salmonella outbreak but from an unusual serotype of the microbe, Salmonella muenchen, and CDC investigators were unable to pinpoint its edible source. Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 13 Sep. 2012 The serotype in this outbreak was H5N8. Reuters, CNN, 15 Nov. 2021 The child’s stool sample yielded a rare strain of Salmonella, S. nima, a serotype associated with snakes and iguanas (9)(10). Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 24 Mar. 2014 In dengue fever, for example, antibodies to an initial infection can actually help dengue viruses of another serotype enter cells, leading to a more severe and sometimes fatal second infection. Jop De Vrieze, Science | AAAS, 18 Nov. 2020 The highly contagious illness is caused by rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus serotype two. Mica Soellner, Washington Examiner, 19 May 2020 Given as two drops into a child’s mouth, OPV for decades contained a mix of three weakened polio viruses, one for each of the three wild serotypes that have long plagued humanity. Leslie Roberts, Science | AAAS, 30 Dec. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serotype.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 29 Mar. 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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