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Streptomycin Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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streptomycin

[strษ›p.tษ™หˆmaษช.sษชn ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

antibiotic medicine

Streptomycin is an antibiotic used to treat various types of bacterial infections. It is particularly effective against tuberculosis and infections caused by certain types of bacteria. This medication belongs to the class of aminoglycosides and works by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria, leading to their death. Streptomycin was one of the first antibiotics to be discovered and remains an important treatment option for resistant strains of bacteria.

Synonyms

aminoglycoside, antibiotic.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor prescribed streptomycin for his tuberculosis treatment.
  • Streptomycin can have side effects, including hearing loss.
  • Researchers are studying streptomycin's effectiveness against resistant bacteria.
  • Patients with severe infections may be given streptomycin as part of their treatment plan.

Translations

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Origin of 'streptomycin'

Streptomycin was discovered in 1943 by Selman Waksman and his colleagues while they were investigating soil bacteria for potential sources of antibiotics. They isolated Streptomyces griseus, a species of actinobacteria, which produced this compound. The name 'streptomycin' is derived from the genus name 'Streptomyces' and the suffix '-mycin,' which is commonly used in the names of antibiotics. Streptomycin was the first antibiotic to be effective against tuberculosis, revolutionizing its treatment and significantly reducing the mortality rate associated with the disease. It was initially used extensively following its introduction, especially for patients with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Over time, the use of streptomycin has been moderated due to the potential development of resistance and the emergence of other effective antibiotics. Nonetheless, it remains a crucial tool in the fight against specific bacterial infections.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,511, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.