bacitracin

[ bas-i-trey-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. an antibiotic polypeptide derived by the hydrolytic action of Bacillus subtilis on protein, primarily used topically in the treatment of superficial infections caused by susceptible Gram-positive organisms.

bacitracin

/ ˌbæsɪˈtreɪsɪn /

noun

1. an antibiotic used mainly in treating bacterial skin infections: obtained from the bacterium Bacillus subtilis

Word History and Origins

Origin of bacitracin¹

1940–45; baci(llus) + Trac(ey), misspelled surname of Margaret Treacy (1936–94), American child whose tissues were found to contain Bacillus subtilis + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bacitracin¹

C20: baci ( llus ) + -trac- from Margaret Tracy (born 1936), American girl in whose blood Bacillus subtilis was found; see -in