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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Antimicrobial Peptides Produced by Selective Pressure Incorporation of Non-canonical Amino Acids
Published on: May 4, 2018
Abstract:
Aminoglycoside antibiotics continue to be indispensable in the management of complex aerobic gram-negative infections. In the United States approximately 4,000,000 patients receive this antibiotic class each year. Although the clinical efficacy of aminoglycosides is unsurpassed, these antibiotics nonetheless have an inherent tendency to produce undesirable side effects. In particular, nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity continue to be the toxicologic side effects that merit special concern in patient management. If careful attention is paid to the dose of an aminoglycoside, the duration of its use, and other clinical issues, such as the state of hydration of the patient, toxic side effects can be reduced to the minimum. Aminoglycosides are chemically and microbiologically ideally suited for inclusion in polymethylmethacrylate bone cements as a delivery system for prevention or treatment of orthopedic surgical infections.
Insights
Aminoglycoside antibiotics are vital for gram-negative infections but can cause kidney and ear toxicity. Careful dosing and hydration minimize these risks, allowing safe use in bone cements for orthopedic infections.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
Background:
- Aminoglycoside antibiotics are essential for treating serious aerobic gram-negative bacterial infections.
- Annually, approximately 4 million patients in the U.S. are treated with aminoglycosides.
- While highly effective, aminoglycosides carry risks of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical utility and toxicologic concerns associated with aminoglycoside antibiotics.
- To discuss strategies for minimizing aminoglycoside-induced toxicity.
- To explore the potential of aminoglycosides in orthopedic surgical infection prophylaxis and treatment via bone cement delivery systems.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on clinical efficacy, toxicity profiles, and drug delivery systems of aminoglycosides.
- Analysis of factors influencing aminoglycoside-related side effects, including dosage, duration, and patient hydration.
- Evaluation of the chemical and microbiological properties of aminoglycosides for incorporation into polymethylmethacrylate bone cements.
Main Results:
- Aminoglycosides demonstrate unparalleled clinical efficacy against aerobic gram-negative pathogens.
- Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity are significant, dose-dependent adverse effects requiring careful patient monitoring.
- Optimizing aminoglycoside dosage, treatment duration, and patient hydration status can substantially mitigate toxicity.
- Aminoglycosides exhibit favorable characteristics for use in polymethylmethacrylate bone cements.
Conclusions:
- Aminoglycosides remain critical for managing complex gram-negative infections.
- Judicious clinical management, including dose and hydration monitoring, is key to minimizing aminoglycoside toxicity.
- The properties of aminoglycosides make them suitable for local delivery in orthopedic surgery to combat infections.
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