Pronunciation: [d͡ʒˈɛntɐmˌɪsɪnz] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Gentamicins" is confusing, as there are multiple ways to spell it. However, the correct spelling of this antibiotic drug is "Gentamicins", with an "s" at the end. The reason for this is because "Gentamicin" is actually a group of closely related antibiotics, of which "Gentamicins" is one. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /dʒɛntəˈmaɪsɪnz/, which represents the pronunciation of the word.
Gentamicins are a group of powerful antibiotic drugs that belong to the class of aminoglycosides. They are derived from the bacterium Micromonospora purpurea and are used to treat various bacterial infections that are resistant to other antibiotics.
Gentamicins work by targeting and disrupting the functioning of bacterial cells, ultimately leading to their death. They achieve this by inhibiting protein synthesis, a crucial process necessary for bacteria to survive and multiply. By binding to bacterial ribosomes, which are responsible for protein synthesis, gentamicins interfere with the production of essential proteins, therefore preventing bacterial growth and reproduction.
These antibiotics are primarily effective against gram-negative bacteria, including strains such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella species. In some cases, gentamicins may also be effective against certain gram-positive bacteria. Due to their broad spectrum of activity, gentamicins are often used in severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Gentamicins are typically administered via intravenous or intramuscular routes, as they have poor oral absorption. They are also available as topical preparations for the treatment of skin infections. However, their use requires careful monitoring of kidney function, as they can be nephrotoxic (damaging to the kidneys) and can potentially cause irreversible hearing loss, especially when used in high doses or for prolonged periods.
In conclusion, gentamicins are a class of potent antibiotics used for the treatment of various bacterial infections. They act by hindering protein synthesis in bacterial cells, effectively killing or inhibiting the growth of susceptible bacteria.
The word Gentamicin has its etymology rooted in the scientific name of the bacteria from which it was first isolated. It is derived from the genus name Micromonospora and the species name purpurea. When the antibiotic was isolated in the 1960s, it was initially named gentamycin due to a typo. The name was later corrected to gentamicin, but the original spelling persists in some medical literature. Pronunciation of gentamicins would typically follow the pronunciation of the base word gentamicin.
