histotropicadj.
/ˌhɪstəˈtrɒpɪk/, /ˌhɪstəˈtrəʊpɪk/, U.S. /ˌhɪstəˈtrɑpɪk/, /ˌhɪstəˈtroʊpɪk/ Biology.
Having an affinity for or attraction to tissues; spec. (of a parasite, symbiont, etc.) located within the host's tissues; designating the stage of the life cycle of a parasite, symbiont, etc. when it is located in host tissues. Cf. histotrophic adj. 2.
ΚΠ
1907 A. E. Wright in Lancet 17 Aug. 423/1 (note) We have a general formula for such antiseptics when we say, in technical terms, which perhaps improve a little on those of Ehrlich, that they are more ‘histotropic’ than ‘parasitotropic’.
1930 Syst. Bacteriol. (Med. Res. Council) VII. 216 The modern theories of neurotropic, dermotropic, enterotropic and other histotropic infections and immunization.
1953 Nature 14 Mar. 482/1 The literature on the ‘histotropic phase’ of O[stertagia] circumcincta is controversial.
1969 European Jrnl. Pharmacol. 8 127/2 This might be accomplished by means of a histotropic compound designed to be cyanogenic.
2009 S. R. Telford Hemoparasites Reptilia i. 11/1 The pellicle of histotropic merozoites is comprised of three layers.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1907