colistin

A mixture of cyclic polypeptide antibiotics from a strain of Bacillus polymyxa; separable into polymyxins. SYN: colimycin.

- c. sulfate the sulfate salt of an antibacterial substance produced by the growth of a strain of Bacillus polymyxa, consisting primarily of c. A with small amounts of c. B; it is effective against most Gram-negative bacteria (except Proteus); given orally for intestinal antibacterial action. SEE ALSO: colistimethate sodium, polymyxin.

- c. sulfomethate sodium SYN: colistimethate sodium.

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co·lis·tin kə-'lis-tən, kō- n a polymyxin produced by a bacterium of the genus Bacillus (B. polymyxa var. colistinus) and used against some gram-negative pathogens esp. of the genera Pseudomonas, Escherichia, Klebsiella, and Shigella

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n.

an antibiotic administered by mouth to sterilize the bowel before surgery. Colistin is a mixture of antimicrobial substances produced by a strain of the bacterium Bacillus polymyxa. Trade name: Colomycin.

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co·lis·tin (ko-lisґtin) a polypeptide antibiotic of the polymyxin (q.v.) group, produced by the growth of the soil bacterium Bacillus polymyxa var. colistinus, specifically effective against many gram-negative bacteria, especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but also useful against others, including Escherichia coli and species of Klebsiella, Shigella, and Brucella; Proteus species are resistant.