Definition

A type of antibiotic made from a specific bacteria, used to treat tuberculosis.

Example

The doctor prescribed viomycin to help treat the patient's tuberculosis.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of viomycin?

Yeah, I think it's used to treat tuberculosis, right?

Exactly! It's interesting how antibiotics like viomycin can help fight serious infections.

For sure, it’s amazing what science can do to help people.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Viomycin is derived from the prefix 'vio-' (from the Latin 'viola', meaning violet) and the suffix '-mycin' (from the Greek 'mykes', meaning fungus). The name reflects its origin from a strain of Streptomyces that produces the antibiotic, which was discovered in a soil sample containing violet-colored fungi. Thus, viomycin refers to an antibiotic derived from a violet fungus.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'violet' color ('vio-') associated with the fungus that produces this antibiotic, and remember that 'viomycin' is an antibiotic derived from that violet fungus.

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