Netilmicin therapy of patients with leukaemia or malignant lymphoma

Seventy-four febrile patients with leukaemia or malignant lymphoma, of whom 42 had severe granulocytopenia, were treated with netilmicin in combination with other antibiotics, usually ampicillin and methicillin. Of 36 patients with proven bacterial infection, 72% responded to treatment with complete resolution or improvement. Moderate and reversible renal affection occurred in 10 patients of whom 8 concomitantly were treated with other potentially nephrotoxic drugs. Five of the 10 patients had unintendedly high valley concentrations of netilmicin. Ototoxicity was not documented. It is concluded that netilmicin is an effective and tolerable aminoglycoside.