A Rapid Chemical Assay for Gentamicin

Abstract

GENTAMICIN is bactericidal for many of the aerobic gram-negative bacilli that produce serious human infection. Unfortunately, it is also relatively toxic: it causes ototoxicity in approximately 2.3 per cent of patients, and renal damage somewhat less commonly.1 The ototoxicity is correlated with previous otologic status, prior therapy with ototoxic drugs, age and serum concentrations.1 Since gentamicin is excreted primarily by the kidneys, serum concentrations reflect the dosage, route of administration and interval between doses and renal function of the patient.The therapeutic index of this antibiotic is moderately narrow: most dosage schedules aim to attain 4 μg per milliliter of . . .