Actinomycetes

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  actinomycetes \actinomycetes\ n.
     1. branched gram-positive bacteria, often found in soil, some
        of which are pathogenic for humans and animals.
  
     Note: some species have been found to produce metabolites
           which are useful in medicine. Many species of these


           bacteria have been isolated and extensively screened by
           pharmaceutical companies and university research groups
           for production of useful therapeutic agents. Among the
           agent produced by actinomycetes are tetracyclines,
           streptomycin, avermectin, and thienamycin
           [WordNet 1.5]