ABSTRACT
Although newer antibiotics, such as extendedspectrum ß-lactams and fluoroquinolones, have been developed and marketed, aminoglycosides are still important antibacterial agents for the prevention and treatment of serious aerobic gram-negative bacterial infection (Bayer et al., 1985; Edson et al., 1991; Karlowsky et al., 1994, 1997; Mac Arthur et al., 1984; Spivey et al., 1990; Zhanel et al., 1994). The aminoglycosides possess several features justifying their continued clinical use, including their rapid and potent bactericidal activity, long-lasting postantibiotic effect, synergy with other antibiotics, and low cost (Craig et al., 1991; Daikos et al., 1990; Karlowsky et al., 1994). Furthermore, progress in optimizing dosing strategies has helped circumvent nephro-and ototoxicity, the major short-comings that characterize this class of antibiotics (Edson et al., 1991; Gilbert et al., 1991).
