colistin

American  

[kuh-lis-tin] / kəˈlɪs tɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a toxic antibiotic polypeptide, C 45 H 85 O 10 N 13 , produced by the bacterium Bacillus colistinus, used in sulfate form against a broad spectrum of microorganisms and in the treatment of severe gastroenteritis.

---

Etymology

Origin of colistin

1950–55; < New Latin colistinus epithet for a variety of Bacillus polymyxa, equivalent to coli- ( see coliform) + -stinus, apparently an arbitrarily chosen suffix; cf. -in ²

Example Sentences

The study examined eight intravenous drugs active against carbapenem-resistant bacteria - ranging from older antibiotics including Colistin to newer ones such as Ceftazidime-avibactam.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2025

Colistin resistance was originally discovered in 2015 in China and has been documented on every continent except Antarctica, Smith said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2023

Colistin is regarded as a last-resort antibiotic in the treatment of multi-drug-resistant, gram-negative bacteria.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

The MCR-9 has been a major concern for world health officials given its resistance to Colistin, a powerful antibiotic reserved for infections that are untreatable by other medications.

From Washington Times • Jan. 15, 2022

For example, some doctors, in extreme cases, are again using Colistin, an older antibiotic that was largely abandoned years ago because of the damage it can cause the liver.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2013