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IgM

IgM also known as Immunoglobulin M, is a type of antibody present in the blood and bodily fluids, serving as a crucial part of the immune system's defense mechanism against infections and foreign substances, much like IgG.

IgM is the first type of antibody produced by the immune system in response to an infection or exposure to an antigen (foreign substance). It is primarily found in the bloodstream and is the largest of all the immunoglobulins. IgM is produced by B cells, a type of white blood cell, and is released into the blood circulation to help neutralize and clear pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

Produced by B cells, IgM is the first antibody produced by the immune system when the body encounters an infection or foreign substance. The largest of all immunoglobulins, IgM predominantly circulates in the bloodstream as a pentamer (five antibody units joined together), making it highly effective at trapping and neutralizing antigens, thereby acting as a powerful early defense against infections.

IgM is particularly important during the early stages of an infection, as it helps to activate the complement system, a group of proteins that enhance the immune response by promoting inflammation, opsonization (marking pathogens for destruction), and lysis (rupturing of pathogen cells).

As the body starts generating other antibodies, such as IgG, the levels of IgM in the bloodstream typically decrease. In some cases, presence of specific IgM antibodies can indicate a recent or ongoing infection, leading to its use in certain diagnostic procedures for identifying particular diseases or infections.

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