pyrogen
(pi´ro-jәn)
a substance that causes fever.
endogenous pyrogen
a low-molecular-weight protein that is produced by phagocytic leukocytes in response to stimulation by exogenous pyrogens; it is then released into the circulation, and it induces fever by acting on the preoptic area of the hypothalamus to raise the set-point of the hypothalamic thermostat. The pyrogen produced by monocytes and macrophages is not identical to that produced by neutrophils and eosinophils; the mononuclear phagocytes also produce a greater amount of pyrogen for a longer period of time than do the polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
exogenous pyrogen
a fever-producing agent of external origin; types include bacterial endotoxins, various other microbial products, antigen-antibody complexes, viruses, synthetic polynucleotides, incompatible blood and blood products, and certain androgen breakdown products. The action is mediated by endogenous pyrogens.

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