Polymyxin B

Polymyxin B

Definition

A mixture of the polypeptides polymyxins B1 and B2, both obtained from Bacillus polymyxa strains, with antimicrobial activity. Polymyxin B exerts its antimicrobial effect through its cationic detergent action on cell membranes. Specifically, this antibiotic binds to the negatively charged site in the lipopolysaccharide layer of the bacterial cell membrane via electrostatic affinity with the positively charged amino groups in the cyclic peptide portion. Subsequently, the fatty acid portion of polymyxin B dissolves in the hydrophobic region of the bacterial cell membrane. This results in an alteration in cell membrane structure, disruption of cell wall integrity and an increase in permeability for water and molecules. This will eventually lead to bacterial cell death.

Also known as POLYMYXIN B — per NCIT

Also identified as

Indications

Disease Relation Source
Bacterial infectious disease with sepsis may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Bacterial meningitis may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Digestive system disorder may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Escherichia coli infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Haemophilus infectious disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Klebsiella infectious disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Otitis externa may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Pseudomonas infection may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Skin disorder may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)
Urinary bladder disorder may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)

Organ Effects

Organ Side effect / interaction Source
Central nervous system may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Craniocervical region may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Ear may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
External ear may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Meninx may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Nervous system may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0

6 entries above are marked DERIVED: Atlas Médico inferred them by combining two sourced claims, and no source asserts these links directly. Treat them as a navigation aid, not as a clinical statement.