amphotericin, n. Pharm.
(æmfəˈtɛrɪsɪn)
[f. amphoteric a. + -in1.]
Either of two amphoteric polyenes with antifungal properties obtained from the soil bacterium Streptomyces nodosus; esp. the antibiotic C47H73NO17 (more fully amphotericin B), used to treat some serious fungal infections.
| 1956 J. Vandeputte et al. in Antibiotics Ann. 1955–6 587 A Streptomyces species (M4575) has been found to produce two antifungal agents that we have named amphotericins A and B. 1964 S. Duke-Elder Parsons' Dis. Eye (ed. 14) xiv. 144 Many fungi are sensitive to nystatin, amphotericin or trichomycin. 1977 Ann. Internal Med. LXXXVI. 47/1 Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal antibiotic that binds to cholesterol in the plasma membrane of eukaryotic cells. 1989 Lancet 3 June 1262/1 Because of the deleterious effects of amphotericin B on renal transplants, he was started on fluconazole 200 mg orally every second day. |