title: Amikacin therapy for serious gram-negative infection.
abstract: Amikacin sulfate was administered to 18 patients for the treatment of 19 severe infections. Seventeen infections were caused by gentamicin-resistant Gram-negative bacilli, and 13 patients were bacteremic. Bacteriologic cure was attained in all but one instance, and effective serum, bile, and pleural fluid drug levels were demonstrated. Drug-related fever occurred in one patient, and another experienced a maculopapular rash and monilial intertrigo. In three patients, reversible renal toxicity developed, but none had clinical evidence of ototoxicity. Amikacin sulfate in a dose of 15 mg/kg/day is an effective antibiotic for the treatment of serious Gram-negative infections, particularly those due to gentamicin-resistant organisms.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000583:Amikacin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007612:Kanamycin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D007612:Kanamycin; D000583:Amikacin