bacitracin

An antibacterial antibiotic polypeptide of known chemical structure isolated from cultures of an aerobic, Gram-positive, spore-bearing bacillus (member of the Bacillus subtilis group); active against hemolytic streptococci, staphylococci, and several types of Gram-positive, aerobic, rod-shaped organisms; usually applied locally. Zinc b. is also available. [Bacillus + Margaret Tracy, source of orig. culture]

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bac·i·tra·cin .bas-ə-'trās-ən n a polypeptide antibiotic isolated from a bacillus (Bacillus subtilis or B. licheniformis) and usu. used topically esp. against gram-positive bacteria

Tra·cy 'trā-sē Margaret American hospital patient. The antibiotic bacitracin was first identified in 1945 in wound drainage from Margaret Tracy.

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n.

an antibiotic produced by certain strains of bacteria and effective against a number of microorganisms. Combined with other antibiotics, it is applied externally to treat infections of the skin and eyes.

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bac·i·tra·cin (bas″ĭ-traґsin) [USP] an antibacterial produced by the licheniformin group of Bacillus subtilis, which interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis. It is effective against many gram-positive bacteria, such as staphylococci, streptococci, and various bacilli, and a few gram-negative bacteria, including Neisseria, Haemophilus influenzae, and Treponema pallidum. It is applied topically to the skin or conjunctiva in the prophylaxis and treatment of infections. It is also administered orally in the treatment of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous enterocolitis caused by toxins A and B of Clostridium difficile.