streptomycin

[strep-tuh-mahy-sin]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. an antibiotic, C 2 1 H 3 9 N 7 O 1 2 , produced by a soil actinomycete, Streptomyces griseus, and used in medicine in the form of its white, water-soluble sulfate salt, chiefly in the treatment of tuberculosis.

streptomycin

/ ˌstrɛptəʊˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. an antibiotic obtained from the bacterium Streptomyces griseus: used in the treatment of tuberculosis and Gram-negative bacterial infections. Formula: C 21 H 39 N 7 O 12

streptomycin

1. An aminoglycoside antibiotic, C ₂₁ H ₃₉ O ₁₂ N ₇, produced by the actinomycete Streptomyces griseus, given as an intramuscular injection to treat tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

Word History and Origins

Origin of streptomycin¹

1944; < New Latin Streptomyc ( es ) streptomyces + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of streptomycin¹

from Streptomyces, genus name of bacteria (from _strepto- + Greek mukēs fungus + _-in )

Example Sentences

The researchers exposed E. coli to streptomycin and kasugamycin, two drugs which treat bacterial infections.

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Another study tested its ability to stop bacteria in wounds, and some snail mucus performed better than commercial antibiotics, including amoxicillin and streptomycin.

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The collection did generate several historically important drugs through the years, including the tuberculosis antibiotic streptomycin and the organ transplant drug sirolimus.

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And streptomycin, developed in 1943, stopped TB cold in most patients.

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Life-threatening infection led to the removal of a kidney and his treatment with what was then an experimental antibiotic, streptomycin, initially used to treat tuberculosis.

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Related Words

• penicillin