gamma globulin, a group of globulin globulin, any of a large family of proteins of a spherical or globular shape that are widely distributed throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. Many of them have been prepared in pure crystalline form.
..... Click the link for more information. proteins in human blood plasma, including most antibodies antibody, protein produced by the immune system (see immunity ) in response to the presence in the body of antigens: foreign proteins or polysaccharides such as bacteria, bacterial toxins , viruses, or other cells or proteins.
..... Click the link for more information. . These antibody substances are produced as a protective reaction of the body's immune system to the invasion of disease-producing organisms (see immunity immunity, ability of an organism to resist disease by identifying and destroying foreign substances or organisms. Although all animals have some immune capabilities, little is known about nonmammalian immunity.
..... Click the link for more information. ). Injections of gamma globulin are used to create a rapid but temporary immunity in patients who have been exposed to certain diseases. Children who have been exposed to, but are not immunized against, measles measles or rubeola (r
..... Click the link for more information. and patients with hepatitis Hepatitis A, also called infectious hepatitis, occurs sporadically or in epidemics, the virus being present in feces and transmittable via contaminated food (e.g., food prepared by an infected person with unwashed hands or fresh food washed or grown with contaminated water) or
..... Click the link for more information. receive some protection from gamma globulin when it is administered during the incubation period of the infection. The gamma globulin used for such purposes is extracted from blood plasma from a large, diverse adult population; the resulting mixture is thus likely to contain antibodies from individuals who had been exposed to the appropriate infections.

gamma globulin

Subgroup of the globulins. In humans and many other mammals, most antibodies are in the gamma globulin fraction of blood. A human gamma globulin preparation may be administered (by injection) to persons lacking immunity, either generally or to a particular disease, after exposure or before expected exposure.

gamma globulin [′gam·ə ′gläb·yə·lən]

(immunology)

Any of the serum proteins with antibody activity.