L. H. Greenberg, H. Momary
Nov 15, 1965
Citations
0
Influential Citations
56
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
JAMA
Abstract
NEOMYCIN is a potent antibiotic produced from a strain of Streptomyces fradiae and having a broad spectrum of activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It may possess the widest spectrum of any antibiotic. 1 When administered via the parenteral route it has significant audiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. However, it is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and is therefore principally used against intraluminal enteric bacteria. Reports of toxicity caused by orally administered neomycin have appeared only rarely in the literature, although the drug is used extensively as a bowel-sterilizing agent. The present report describes a patient treated orally with neomycin in whom complete eighth-nerve deafness developed, associated with acute renal failure. Report of a Case The patient, a 53-year-old white woman, was hospitalized on March 2, 1965, complaining of progressive deafness. On Jan 23, she had been operated on for a perforated sigmoid diverticulum. A total of 9 gm of neomycin