Spectinomycin
Spectinomycin
Spectinomycin (pronounced spek-ti-no-my-sin) is an antibiotic that is used to treat certain types of bacterial infections. It is a member of the aminocyclitol class of antibiotics and is derived from the bacterium Streptomyces spectabilis.
Etymology
The name "Spectinomycin" is derived from the bacterium from which it was first isolated, Streptomyces spectabilis. The suffix "-mycin" is common in antibiotics and is derived from the Greek word "mykes", meaning fungus, as many antibiotics were originally derived from fungi.
Usage
Spectinomycin is primarily used to treat gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is particularly useful in cases where the bacteria have developed resistance to other antibiotics, such as penicillin or tetracycline.
Mechanism of Action
Spectinomycin works by binding to the ribosomes of the bacteria, specifically the 30S subunit. This prevents the bacteria from synthesizing proteins, which are essential for their growth and reproduction. As a result, the bacteria are unable to multiply and the infection is controlled.
Related Terms
- Antibiotic
- Aminocyclitol
- Streptomyces spectabilis
- Bacterial infection
- Gonorrhea
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Penicillin
- Tetracycline
- Ribosome
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spectinomycin
- Wikipedia's article - Spectinomycin
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