Definition

Adjective: Unaffected by penicillin; not killed or inhibited by the antibiotic drug penicillin.

Usage

This adjective is used specifically to describe microorganisms, particularly bacteria, that are not susceptible to the effects of penicillin. It indicates a form of antibiotic resistance.

Examples

• The laboratory tests confirmed the infection was caused by a penicillin-resistant strain of bacteria.
• Doctors must prescribe alternative antibiotics for penicillin-resistant infections.
• The rise of penicillin-resistant organisms is a major public health concern.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in medical, microbiological, and public health contexts to classify bacterial strains and guide treatment decisions.
• It can be part of a more specific classification, such as "penicillin-resistant (PRSP)."

Variants and Related Words

• Penicillin resistance (n): The condition or trait of being unaffected by penicillin.
  • The bacterium developed penicillin resistance through genetic mutation.
• Methicillin-resistant (adj): A related but distinct term describing resistance to methicillin and other related antibiotics (e.g., MRSA - Methicillin-resistant ).

Synonyms

• Insusceptible to penicillin
• Non-responsive to penicillin

Antonyms

• Penicillin-sensitive
• Penicillin-susceptible

Adjective

1. unaffected by penicillin
   • penicillin-resistant bacteria