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

/ strĕp′tə-mī′sĭn /

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

Among them is the common, broad-spectrum drug streptomycin.

From Science Daily

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

From National Geographic

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

From Science Daily

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

From Los Angeles Times

For a few months, before production could scale up, Hinshaw’s San Francisco laboratory held the world’s entire supply of streptomycin, and pleas for the miracle drug poured in from the afflicted from Siberia to Tierra del Fuego.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• penicillin