Cefapirin, spelled /sɛfəˈpɪrɪn/, is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in animals. The word is phonetically pronounced as "SEF-uh-pih-rin." The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, followed by the "f" sound. The next syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, then "p" and "ih" sounds. The final syllable is pronounced with the "r" sound followed by an "ih" and "n" sound. Cefapirin's spelling follows typical English pronunciation rules for words of Greek origin.
Cefapirin is an antibiotic medication belonging to the cephalosporin class of drugs. It is primarily used in veterinary medicine to treat a variety of bacterial infections in cows and other livestock.
The chemical structure of cefapirin is derived from a natural compound called cephalosporin C, which has been further modified to enhance its antibacterial activity and stability. Cefapirin works by inhibiting the synthesis of the bacterial cell wall, thereby preventing the growth and spread of the bacteria.
In veterinary applications, cefapirin is commonly used to treat mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland that often occurs in cows. Mastitis can be caused by various bacteria, and cefapirin is particularly effective against the most common causative organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. It is administered as an intramammary infusion, directly into the affected udder quarter(s).
Cefapirin is characterized by its broad-spectrum activity, meaning it can effectively target a wide range of bacteria. It is generally well-tolerated in animals, with few reported side effects. However, as with any antibiotic, cefapirin should be used judiciously and in accordance with a veterinarian's guidance to minimize the risk of bacterial resistance and adverse reactions.
Although primarily used in veterinary medicine, cefapirin is not approved for human use in many countries. Human-targeted cephalosporins are generally more effective against human bacterial pathogens and better studied for safety and efficacy in humans.
The word "Cefapirin" is derived from the combination of two parts: "Cefa-" and "-pirin".
"Cefa-" is derived from cephalosporin, which is a class of antibiotics known for their effectiveness against a wide range of bacteria. The term "cephalosporin" originates from the Greek word "kephalḗ" meaning "head", combined with the word "sporḗ" meaning "seed" or "spore", as the antibiotic was initially discovered in a fungus named Acremonium cephalosporium.
The "-pirin" in Cefapirin is derived from "pyrin", another antibiotic originally derived from an organism known as Streptomyces pyogenes. Pyrin is a compound found in pyrogens that cause fever and is also related to salicylate compounds like aspirin.