METICILLIN Meaning and
Definition
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Meticillin, also known as methicillin, is a synthetic antibiotic belonging to the group of penicillinase-resistant penicillins. It is derived from the natural penicillin compound, 6-aminopenicillanic acid, through chemical modifications to increase its resistance to the enzyme called penicillinase or beta-lactamase. Meticillin was specifically developed to combat infections caused by penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that has become resistant to other penicillin antibiotics.
As a broad-spectrum antibiotic, meticillin works by inhibiting the formation of the bacterial cell wall, thus preventing the growth and replication of bacteria. It targets the enzyme responsible for building the cell wall, called transpeptidase or penicillin-binding protein, thereby interfering with the cross-linking process required for structural integrity. By disrupting this key step, meticillin weakens the bacterial cell wall, leading to its eventual rupture and subsequent death of the bacterium.
However, it is worth noting that meticillin, although effective against penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, has become less commonly used due to the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. These strains possess a modified penicillin-binding protein, which makes them resistant to meticillin and other penicillinase-resistant penicillins. Consequently, meticillin is typically replaced by other antibiotics, such as vancomycin or daptomycin, in the treatment of MRSA infections.
In summary, meticillin is a synthetic antibiotic that belongs to the group of penicillinase-resistant penicillins. It is designed to combat penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aure
Common Misspellings for METICILLIN
- neticillin
- keticillin
- jeticillin
- mwticillin
- msticillin
- mdticillin
- mrticillin
- m4ticillin
- m3ticillin
- mericillin
- meficillin
- megicillin
- meyicillin
- me6icillin
- me5icillin
- metucillin
- metjcillin
- metkcillin
- metocillin
- met9cillin
Etymology of METICILLIN
The word "Meticillin" is derived from the generic name of the antibiotic drug called methicillin. The term "methicillin" was coined by combining the word "methoxy" with "penicillin".
The "metho-" prefix refers to the presence of a methoxy group (-OCH3), which is a chemical group consisting of one carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The methoxy group is commonly found in many organic compounds.
The "-cillin" part of the word indicates that methicillin is a type of penicillin. Penicillins are a group of antibiotics that are derived from the fungus Penicillium and are known for their antibacterial properties.
Overall, the etymology of "Meticillin" is rooted in the naming conventions of antibiotics, combining the methoxy group with the term "penicillin" to describe a specific type of antibiotic drug.
