Definition

Noun: - Bacteria that are unaffected by penicillin: This term refers to strains or types of bacteria that are not killed or inhibited by the antibiotic drug penicillin. These bacteria have developed a resistance to its effects.

Usage

The term is used in medical, microbiological, and public health contexts to describe a specific characteristic of certain bacterial infections. It indicates that treatment with standard penicillin will likely be ineffective.

Examples

• The lab results confirmed the infection was caused by penicillin-resistant bacteria, so the doctor prescribed a different antibiotic.
• The rise of penicillin-resistant bacteria is a major concern for global health officials.
• This strain of is a well-known example of penicillin-resistant bacteria.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often part of a broader discussion on antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• It can be specified further, e.g., "penicillin-resistant ".

Variants and Related Words

• Penicillin resistance (noun): The property or condition of being unaffected by penicillin.
  • The penicillin resistance of the bacteria made the infection difficult to treat.
• Penicillin-resistant (adjective): Used to describe the bacteria.
  • They isolated a penicillin-resistant strain.

Synonyms

• Penicillin-insensitive bacteria (less common)
• Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria (a specific mechanism of resistance, not a perfect synonym)

Related Phrases

• Drug-resistant bacteria: A broader category that includes resistance to any antibiotic, not just penicillin.
• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria: A synonym for drug-resistant bacteria, commonly used in public health communications.

Noun

1. bacteria that are unaffected by penicillin