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Medical Definition of Common opsonin
1. That normally present in the blood, i.e., without stimulation by a known, specific antigen such as certain complement components; it is relatively thermolabile and reacts with various organisms. Synonym: common opsonin, thermolabile opsonin. Specific opsonin, antibodies formed in response to stimulation by a specific antigen, either as a result of an attack of a disease, or injections with a suitably prepared suspension of the specific microorganism. Synonym: immune opsonin, thermostable opsonin. (05 Mar 2000)