adjuvant

(ad′jŭ-vănt )

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[L. adjuvare, to help]

1. That which assists, esp. a drug added to a prescription to hasten or increase the action of a principal ingredient.
2. In immunology, a chemical such as aluminum hydroxide or aluminum phosphate added to an antigen to increase the body's immunologic response. The adjuvants increase the size of the antigen, making it easier for B lymphocytes and phagocytes to recognize it, promote chemotaxis, and stimulate the release of cytokines. Adjuvants are not effective with all antigens and do not stimulate T-cell activity.

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