penicillinase
/ˌpɛnɪˈsɪlɪneɪz/
noun
- An enzyme produced by some bacteria that breaks down penicillin and makes it ineffective.
- The bacteria produced penicillinase, which destroyed the antibiotic before it could work.
- Penicillinase is one reason some infections are hard to treat with common antibiotics.
- Scientists developed drugs that block penicillinase to help fight resistant infections.