title: High dose netilmicin therapy of severe or chronic infections.
abstract: Sixteen patients with chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections, 14 with septicaemia, 2 with salmonellosis, 2 with pneumonia and 1 with acute mastitis were treated with 200 mg (2.2-3.6 mg/kg) netilmicin intramuscularly every 8 hours for 7-10 days (mean 8.8 days). 28 patients were cured, 5 showed marked improvement and 2 patients with septicaemia and severe underlying diseases failed to respond to treatment. The bacterial isolates were inhibited by 4.0 mg netilmicin/l or less. Antibiotic serum level determinations were performed in 32 patients. Mean serum concentrations of netilmicin 1 and 8 hours after injection were 12.6 and 2.0 mg/l respectively in 27 patients with normal serum creatinine levels. In 5 patients with elevated serum creatinine, mean peak and trough values were 21.5 and 5.8 mg/l, respectively. Mean netilmicin concentrations in serum and skin blister fluid obtained from 4 patients were equal 2-3 hours after injection, indicating appropriate tissue penetration. Nephrotoxicity occurred in 2 patients. Ototoxicity was not demonstrated. Netilmicin appears to be an effective and safe drug in the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006309:Hearing / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009428:Netilmicin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D005839:Gentamicins; D009428:Netilmicin; D003404:Creatinine