Streptomycin

Streptomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic from certain strains of Streptomyces griseus, effective against many Gram-negative bacteria. It has been used to treat systemic and enteric infections in animals and also, controversially, for growth-promoting purposes in livestock. Kidney residues can linger for long periods, though they normally clear quickly from other commonly eaten tissues. Its agricultural use is restricted in many regions because of antimicrobial-resistance concerns, and residues in meat and milk are monitored against maximum limits. It remains an important human medicine, which is all the more reason to guard its effectiveness.