Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
immune serum globulin
References
Britannica AI Icon

immune serum globulin

biology
Also known as: ISG
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

Immune serum globulin (ISG) is a blood product derived from the plasma of healthy donors. It contains a mixture of immunoglobulins, primarily IgG, with smaller amounts of IgM and IgA. These immunoglobulins are also known as gamma globulins and play a crucial role in the body's immune system by acting as antibodies.132

ISG is used to provide passive immunity, offering temporary protection against various diseases such as measles and hepatitis A. It is also vital for individuals with agammaglobulinemia or hypogammaglobulinemia, conditions characterized by an inadequate supply of gamma globulin, which impairs their ability to fight infections. Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIGs) offer a more convenient method of administration compared to painful intramuscular injections.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
4 Britannica Sources
  1. gamma globulin
  2. therapeutics - Immunoglobulins
  3. infectious disease - HISG
  4. immune system - IgG

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.