Tag: Spectinomycin

While often grouped with aminoglycosides, spectinomycin is a distinct aminocyclitol antibiotic [1.2.1]. The crucial question for clinicians and researchers is: **how does spectinomycin differ from the other aminoglycoside antibiotics?** These differences lie in its structure, action, and, most importantly, its safety profile.

First isolated in 1961 from the bacterium *Streptomyces spectabilis*, spectinomycin is a bacteriostatic antibiotic belonging to the aminocyclitol class. This article details what is the mechanism of action of spectinomycin, outlining how its unique binding to the bacterial ribosome prevents protein production and inhibits bacterial growth.