Related Words

Antibiotic: A substance that inhibits or destroys susceptible microorganisms, particularly bacteria.

Beta-Lactam Antibiotics: A broad class of antibiotics which include penicillin and its derivatives. They are the most widely used group of antibiotics available.

Antibiotic Resistance: Tendency of certain bacteria to develop a resistance to commonly over-used antibiotics.

Antibiotics: Substances produced by some microorganisms, plants, and vertebrates that kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.

Vancomycin: An antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. It has traditionally been reserved as a drug of 'last resort', used only after treatment with other antibi . . . View Full Definition

VRSA: Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) is a strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has become resistant to the glycopeptide antibiotic vancomycin.

Veterinary Biologics: Vaccines, antigens, antitoxins and other preparations made from living organisms (or genetically engineered) and intended for use in diagnosing, treating, or immunizing animals. Unlike some . . . View Full Definition

XDR-TB: Extreme drug resistant TB – any strain of TB that is resistant to both of the two main first line antibiotic drugs AND two more of the second line drugs.

MRSA: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). It has evolved an ability to survive treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, including penicillin, methicillin, and cephalosporins. MRSA i . . . View Full Definition

Gas Gangrene: A very unpleasant way to die. Gas gangrene is a deadly bacterial infection usually caused by Clostridium bacteria that produces gas within tissues. Before the invention of antibiotics this w . . . View Full Definition