Netilmicin in the treatment of Pseudomonas bacteremia

The effectiveness of netilmicin was evaluated retrospectively in 40 patients with culture-documented bacteremia due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Netilmicin was the only antibiotic active in vitro against P aeruginosa that was administered to these patients. In 18 patients, Pseudomonas bacteremia developed in association with a Pseudomonas infection of the urinary tract; in 22 patients, Pseudomonas bacteremia developed from nonurinary or unknown sources. A clinical resolution or improvement was observed in 92% of the evaluable patients, and P aeruginosa was eliminated from the blood of 90% of the patients. The drug had nephrotoxic effects in two patients, but in no patient was there subjective or audiometric evidence of ototoxic effects. Three patients died during therapy. Based on these data, netilmicin is effective, and is associated with a low incidence of toxic effects, in the treatment of patients with Pseudomonas bacteremia.