polymyxin

[ pol-ee-mik-sin ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. any of various polypeptide antibiotics derived from Bacillus polymyxa.

polymyxin

/ ˌpɒlɪˈmɪksɪn /

noun

1. any of several polypeptide antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria, obtained from the soil bacterium Bacillus polymyxa

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymyxin¹

1945–50; < New Latin polymyx ( a ) specific epithet (< Greek poly- poly- + mýxa mucus, slime) + -in ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymyxin¹

C20: from New Latin Bacillus polymyxa; see poly- , myxo- , -in

Example Sentences

Triple antibiotic ointment is a mixture of three topical antibiotics: neomycin, polymyxin B and bacitracin.

From New York Times

The polymyxin antibiotic colistin is used as a last resort for treatment of infections in the clinic, but it can also increase outer membrane permeability, thereby sensitizing bacteria to more-effective antibiotics18.

From Nature

Luther and colleagues chemically linked the compounds identified through this screen to a portion of another antibiotic, polymyxin B, that binds to LPS directly11.

From Nature

“The thing we are wondering and concerned about is topical use of polymyxin,” Kallen said.

From National Geographic

The E. coli strain showing resistance to the polymyxin drug colistin was isolated from an intensively farmed pig in Shanghai during routine testing.

From BBC