title: Reversible anosmia after amikacin therapy.
abstract: Olfactory disorders are among the rare adverse effects of antibiotic therapy. To date, olfactory losses or distortions have been reported after the use of doxycycline, amoxicillin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin, kanamycin sulfate, and streptomycin sulfate. We describe what we believe to be the first case of transient anosmia associated with the use of intravenous amikacin sulfate. The appearance of the disorder and its subsequent resolution were demonstrated by psychometric testing as well as by chemosensory evoked potentials. Based on the well-documented temporal course of the anosmia, there is a probable causal correlation between the administration of amikacin and the appearance of the olfactory disturbance. However, the exact pathogenesis of the anosmia is still a matter of conjecture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland. awelge@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Welge-Luessen
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wolfensberger
mesh_terms: D000583:Amikacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001547:Benzaldehydes; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000187:drug effects; D006198:Hair Cells, Auditory / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008205:Lymphangitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000857:Olfaction Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001547:Benzaldehydes; D019980:Amoxicillin-Potassium Clavulanate Combination; D000583:Amikacin; C100058:vanillin; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide