Laboratory and clinical investigations were performed with amikacin and the following conclusions were obtained.
The sensitivity distribution was examined among 54 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from surgical lesions. The peak of sensitivity of amikacin was observed at 12.5 μg/ml in 24 strains, followed by 6.25μg/ml in 13 strains. The sensitivity distribution among 54 strains of E. coli, the peak of sensitivity was observed at 12.5 μg/ml in 20 strains, followed by 6.25 μg/ml in 10 strains. About 49 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the peak was observed at 6.25 μg/ml in 19 strains. Thirty-nine strains among 49 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were inhibited the growth by 3.13-12.5 μg/ml of amikacin.
By means of cup method using Moni-trol as standard, serum level was measured after intramuscular injections of 100 mg, a peak level of 6.7 μg/ml was attained at 30 minutes after injection. The peak concentration of 347, μg/ml in the urine obtained at 1 hour after injection. The urinary recovery rate within 6 hours after injection was 56.9% on the average.
In a group of 3 rats of SD strain, the tissue concentration was high in kidney and lung, followed by muscle, heart and spleen in order. In the liver it was not detectable biologically. Amikacin was used in the treatment of 20 cases of surgical infections. Results obtained were effective in 13 cases and ineffective in 7 cases. No noteworthy side effect was encountered except one case of local pain.
