[Ototoxicity of the aminoglycoside antibiotics (author's transl)]

A report is given on advances in our knowledge of the ototoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics. The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin, tobramycin, sisomicin and amikacin in the inner ear, cerebrospinal fluid, compartments of the eye and serum were determined by means of pharmacokinetical investigations. The influence of long-term treatment, and the effects of otitis media and uremia were also studied. Furthermore, the influence of therapeutic methods on ototoxic damage was investigated, and the ototoxicity of these antibiotics was compared. The experiments were performed in guinea pigs, concentrations of the antibiotics being measured by a microbiological method and confirmed by investigations with C14 labeled gentamicin. The hair cell degeneration pattern after administration of the new aminoglycosides was determined using surface preparations. The prophylactic effect upon ototoxicity of the administration of dimercaptopropanol or of dividing up the daily dosage was examined. Studies were made of ototoxicity in children, and in patients with otitis media or renal impairment, and the effect of simultaneous ethacrynic acid or noise was assessed. The problem of delayed and progressive ototoxicity, and the reversibility of ototoxic damage caused by these antibiotics was examined histologically, and the ototoxicity of gentamacin, tobramycin, sisomicin and amikacin was compared. The influence of the new aminoglycoside antibiotics upon the amount of acidic and alkaline phosphatase and unspecific esterases in the inner ear was studied. The clinical importance of the latest experimental findings is emphasised. The clinical picture of ototoxic damage after administration of the new aminoglycoside antibiotics shows no special characteristics. The ototoxicity of these antibiotics after topical use is mentioned. Attention is drawn to guidelines for the prevention of ototoxic damage by aminoglycosides.