anaphylactic shock

2 definitions found

anaphylactic shock - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  anaphylactic shock \anaphylactic shock\ n.
     ([a^]n`[.a]*f[imac]*l[a^]k"t[i^]k sh[o^]k`) (Med.)
     Shock resulting from anaphylaxis[2]. It is a severe form of
     physiological shock, often having a fatal outcome, and is
     caused by an extreme immunological reaction to antigens. It
     is characterized by smooth muscle contraction and capillary
     dilation throughout the body, initiated by antibodies of the
     IgE class. It is usually seen when an antigen to which a
     person has become hypersensitized is injected intravenously
     or subcutaneously. It is also called generalyzed anaphylaxis
      or systemic anaphylaxis, and sometimes
     anaphylaxis. --[Stedman]
     [PJC + AS]

anaphylactic shock - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  anaphylactic shock
      n 1: a severe and rapid and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity
           reaction to a substance (especially a vaccine or penicillin
           or shellfish or insect venom) to which the organism has
           become sensitized by previous exposure