erythromycin
/ɪˌrɪθrə(ʊ)ˈmʌɪsɪn
/noun [mass noun] Medicine
An antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. It is similar in its effects to penicillin.
- This is obtained from the streptomycete bacterium Streptomyces erythreus.
- In its early stages, leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics such as penicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline and erythromycin.
- Treatment is with antibiotics such as erythromycin and tetracycline.
Origin
1950s: from elements of the modern Latin taxonomic name Streptomyces erythreus + -in1.