What is "bacitracin"

bacitracin \bacitracin\ n. (1940) [Bacillus + Margaret Tracy, (a child whose tissues contained Bacillus subtilis) + -in.
--RHUD.] a polypeptide antibacterial antibiotic of known chemical structure effective against several types of Gram-positive organisms, and usually used topically for superficial local infection.

Note: It is produced by Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, and as produced commercially is composed of several closely related substances. The predominant component, Bacitracin A, has a formula C60H103N17O16S, and contains D-ornithine, D-phenylalanine and D-glutamine residues as well as the L-isomers of leucine, isoleucine, histidine, asparagine and aspartic acid.
--[MI11]

n. A nonprescription antibiotic, usually provided in topical ointment form and discovered as a product of the bacterium ''Bacillus subtilis''.

n. a polypeptide antibiotic of known chemical structure effective against several types of Gram-positive organisms; usually applied locally

Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic peptides produced by organisms of the licheniformis group of Bacillus subtilis var Tracy, first isolated in 1945. These peptides disrupt both gram positive and gram negative bacteria by interfering with cell wall and peptidoglycan synthesis.

Bacitracin is primarily used as a topical preparation (as it can cause kidney damage when used internally).

While the use of any antibiotic can contribute to antibiotic resistance, localized topical applications are less frequently implicated than their systemic counterparts. However, antibiotics such as bacitracin have been shown to act as dermatological irritants and may slow healing.