vancomycin

English

Etymology

From vanquish +‎ -o- +‎ -mycin (“antibiotic produced by a Streptomyces strain”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌvæŋ.kəˈmaɪ.sɪn/
• Rhymes: -aɪsɪn

Noun

vancomycin (uncountable)

1. (pharmacology) A glycopeptide antibiotic C₆₆H₇₅Cl₂N₉O₂₄ produced by the actinomycete Amycolaptosis orientalis, used in the form of its hydrochloride C₆₆H₇₅Cl₂N₉O₂₄·HCl against Gram-positive bacteria, especially staphylococci resistant to meticillin and enterococci.
   • 1956, J. Geraci, “Some Laboratory and Clinical Experiences with a New Antibiotic, Vancomycin”, in Proc. Staff, Meetings Mayo Clinic, volume 31, number 21, page 564:

     Vancomycin was given intravenously in doses of 0.5 gm. at 6-hour intervals for periods of up to 4 weeks to 9 patients, all of whom had staphylococcal infections.

Derived terms

• VRE
• VRSA

Translations

Translations

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 萬古黴素／万古霉素 (wàngǔméisù)

• Italian: vancomicina (it) f

References

• “vancomycin”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “vancomycin”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.