serotype

noun

se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp  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

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

Word History

Etymology

sero- + type entry 1

First Known Use

1946, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

serotype

1 of 2 noun

se·​ro·​type ˈsir-ə-ˌtīp  ˈser- 

1

: a group of intimately related microorganisms distinguished by a common set of antigens

2

: the set of antigens characteristic of a serotype

serotypic

ˌsir-ə-ˈtip-ik 

adjective

serotypically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

serotype

2 of 2 transitive verb

serotyped; serotyping

: to determine the serotype of

serotype streptococci

serotyped isolates from 100 patients