Taber's Medical Dictionary
penicillin
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(pen″ĭ-sil′ĭn )
[Penicillium + -in]
Any of a group of antibiotics biosynthesized by several species of molds, esp. Penicillium notatum and P. chrysogenum. Penicillin is bactericidal, inhibiting the growth of some gram-positive bacteria and some spirochetes by interfering with cell wall synthesis. There are many different penicillins, including synthetic ones, and their effectiveness varies for different organisms.
SEE: penicillin allergy
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