pyrogen etymology

Etymology

The word "pyrogen" is derived from the Greek words "pyr" (πῦρ), meaning "fire," and "-gen" (-γενής), meaning "producing."

Meaning

Pyrogen refers to any substance that induces fever or raises body temperature.

Origin

The term "pyrogen" was first used in the medical literature in the late 19th century to describe bacteria or their products that caused fever. It was later found that various other substances, including chemicals and cytokines, could also induce fever.

Types of Pyrogens

There are two main types of pyrogens:

  • Exogenous pyrogens: Originate outside the body and enter through infection or injection.
  • Endogenous pyrogens: Produced by the body's own cells in response to inflammation or injury.

Mechanism of Action

Pyrogens stimulate the hypothalamus, which controls body temperature. They trigger the release of prostaglandins, which act on the thermoregulatory center in the hypothalamus, causing an increase in body temperature.

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