POLYMYXIN Meaning and
Definition
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Polymyxin is a type of antibiotic that belongs to the class of drugs known as polymyxins. It is derived from a bacterium called Bacillus polymyxa. Polymyxin is primarily used to treat severe bacterial infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including strains that are resistant to many other types of antibiotics.
Polymyxin works by disrupting the outer membrane of the bacterial cell, which leads to the leakage of intracellular substances, eventual cell death, and the elimination of the infection. It is particularly effective against bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
This antibiotic is available in different forms, including oral, topical, and parenteral (injectable) preparations. Polymyxin B and polymyxin E (also known as colistin) are the most commonly used types of polymyxins.
It is important to note that polymyxin should be used judiciously since it can cause potential side effects such as kidney toxicity and neurotoxicity when used in higher doses or for prolonged periods of time.
Overall, polymyxin is a potent antibiotic that is reserved for treating severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Its use requires careful consideration of the benefits and risks, and it should only be prescribed under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Common Misspellings for POLYMYXIN
- oolymyxin
- lolymyxin
- -olymyxin
- 0olymyxin
- pilymyxin
- pklymyxin
- pllymyxin
- pplymyxin
- p0lymyxin
- p9lymyxin
- pokymyxin
- popymyxin
- pooymyxin
- poltmyxin
- polgmyxin
- polhmyxin
- polumyxin
- pol7myxin
- pol6myxin
Etymology of POLYMYXIN
The word "polymyxin" has its roots in Greek and Latin. The prefix "poly-" comes from the Greek word "polys", meaning "many" or "much". The term "myxin" is derived from the Greek word "myxa", which means "mucus". The suffix "-in" is commonly used in biology to denote a substance or compound. Therefore, "polymyxin" refers to a compound with multiple (poly-) properties related to mucus (-myxin).
Similar spelling words for POLYMYXIN
