NCIt definition : A semisynthetic, broad-spectrum antibiotic derived from Streptomyces venequelae with
primarily bacteriostatic activity. Chloramphenicol diffuses through the bacterial
cell wall and reversibly binds to the bacterial 50S ribosomal subunit. The binding
interferes with peptidyl transferase activity, thereby prevents transfer of amino
acids to the growing peptide chains and blocks peptide bond formation. As a result
bacterial protein synthesis is blocked and impede bacterial cell proliferation.;