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

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times

Phil slathers bacitracin on the cut and covers it with a couple bandages, then uses his water bottle to rinse away the dry blood from my leg.

From Literature

Many of the most common triggers of allergic contact dermatitis aren’t associated with organic-style products, such as the metal nickel and antibiotics neomycin and bacitracin.

From Wall Street Journal

Denmark and Croatia had sulfonamides, Norway had bacitracin, and Pakistan had several types of antibiotics.

From Forbes

Use over-the-counter antibiotic ointments containing bacitracin and neomycin only for cuts and scrapes that leave visible dirt behind.

From Washington Post