Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycosides are derived from various species of Streptomyces.

In 1943, Selman Waksman, together with his co-workers, discovered that a fungus Streptomyces griseus produced an antibiotic substance which they named "streptomycin." Selman Waksman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1952 for his discovery of streptomycin.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. Aminoglycosides may be used along with penicillins or cephalosporins to give a two-pronged attack on the bacteria. Aminoglycosides work quite well, but bacteria can become resistant to them. Since aminoglycosides are broken down easily in the stomach, they can't be given by mouth and must be injected. Generally, aminoglycosides are given for short time periods.

The aminoglycosides are drugs which stop bacteria from making proteins. This effect is bacteriocidal.

Aminoglycoside grope includes:

·         amikacin

·         gentamicin

·         kanamycin

·         neomycin

·         streptomycin

·         tobramycin

Aminoglycosides side effects

The major irreversible toxicity of aminoglycosides is ototoxicity, that is damage to the ear and hearing. Among them, streptomycin and gentamicin are primarily vestibulotoxic, whereas amikacin, neomycin, dihydrosterptomycin, and kanamicin are primarily cochleotoxic.

Another important concern with aminoglycoside antibiotics is nephrotoxicity, that is kidney damage.