gentamicin

American  

[jen-tuh-mahy-sin] / ˌdʒɛn təˈmaɪ sɪn /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a highly toxic broad-spectrum antibiotic mixture of related aminoglycoside substances derived from the actinomycete bacterium Micromonospora purpurea, used in its sulfate form in the treatment of severe Gram-negative infections.

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gentamicin British  

/ ˌdʒɛntəˈmaɪsɪn /

noun

1. a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of serious infections

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Etymology

Origin of gentamicin

First recorded in 1960–65; respelling of gentamycin, probably equivalent to gent(ian violet), so called from the color of the source bacterium + -a- (as in kanamycin ) + -mycin; see gentian violet, -mycin

Example Sentences

The test, which involves taking a gentle cheek swab, can determine whether a critically ill baby has a single gene change that could cause permanent hearing loss if they are treated with gentamicin.

From BBC • Dec. 7, 2023

A second facility recorded above average levels of antimicrobial resistance to gentamicin, putting residents' health at risk.

From Science Daily • Oct. 4, 2023

Mice were then administered with either PLG0206 or gentamicin, another common antibiotic.

From Salon • Sep. 19, 2022

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, “Plague is a very serious illness, but is treatable with commonly available antibiotics, ”which includes streptomycin, gentamicin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline moxifloxacin, and chloramphenicol.

From Slate • Jul. 15, 2020

One is called gentamicin, but it’s not ideal because it can cause problems in the kidneys and hearing.

From The Verge • Feb. 6, 2018