Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Cochlear Implant Surgery and Electrically-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response Recordings in C57BL/6 Mice
Published on: January 9, 2019
Ototoxicity of topical moxifloxacin in a chinchilla animal model
Sam J Daniel1, Melanie Duval, Sofia Sahmkow
1McGill University, Montreal, Canada. sam.daniel@mcgill.ca
Objective:
Ciprofloxacin is currently the only proven nonototoxic topical antibiotic. However, its widespread use has resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. There are also concerns that there is currently no safe alternative to ciprofloxacin for patients with a nonintact eardrum. We thus wished to evaluate whether a moxifloxacin solution is ototoxic when used topically in chinchilla ears in the presence of a pressure-equalizing tube (PET).
Study Design:
A prospective, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in an animal model.
Methods:
Twenty chinchillas were included in this study. After bilateral insertion of PETs, four drops of a moxifloxacin solution were delivered twice daily for 7 days in the randomly assigned experimental ear. The control ear received an equal amount of a solution of Ringer's lactate. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were recorded at baseline (after PET insertion) and at days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 after treatment initiation.
Results:
When baseline DPOAE measurements were compared with the final measurements at day 28, moxifloxacin caused a statistically significant (P < .05) hearing loss (HL) in the experimental ears for the frequencies between 3.7 and 15 kHz. There was no significant change in hearing in the control ears.
Conclusion:
This represents the first study on the ototoxicity of topical moxifloxacin. Our results demonstrate that moxifloxacin causes HL when used with a nonintact tympanic membrane in a chinchilla animal model.
Insights
Topical moxifloxacin caused significant hearing loss in chinchilla ears with pressure-equalizing tubes. This study highlights potential ototoxicity concerns for moxifloxacin in patients with nonintact eardrums.
Area of Science:
- Ototoxicity research
- Otolaryngology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ciprofloxacin is the sole non-ototoxic topical antibiotic, but resistance is rising.
- A safe alternative for patients with non-intact eardrums is needed.
- Moxifloxacin's ototoxicity with tympanic membrane perforations is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the ototoxicity of topical moxifloxacin in chinchilla ears with pressure-equalizing tubes (PETs).
Main Methods:
- Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.
- Twenty chinchillas received topical moxifloxacin or Ringer's lactate twice daily for 7 days in ears with PETs.
- Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) measured hearing at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- Moxifloxacin led to statistically significant hearing loss (3.7–15 kHz) by day 28 (P < .05).
- No hearing changes were observed in control ears.
- Hearing loss was specifically linked to moxifloxacin treatment in the presence of PETs.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study to investigate topical moxifloxacin ototoxicity.
- Topical moxifloxacin induced hearing loss in a chinchilla model with non-intact tympanic membranes.
- Caution is advised when using moxifloxacin in patients with perforated eardrums.
