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Antibody

• Overview

Definition:

Antibodies are a type of protein . They are produced by the immune system in response to foreign substances that may be a threat to the body -- such as chemicals, virus particles, spores, or bacterial toxins. (These foreign substances are called antigens.)

Each type of antibody is unique and defends the body against one specific type of antigen.

• Review Date: 11/30/2006
• Reviewed By: Donald Accetta, MD, MPH, President, Allergy & Asthma Care, PC, Taunton, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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