Serum aminoglycoside monitoring by enzyme immunoassay, biological, and fluorescence immunoassay procedures.

Abstract

Aerobic gram-negative infections are treated with aminoglycosides, but it is difficult to achieve safe yet effective dosages in individual patients using a standard dosing formula. Serum aminoglycoside levels are monitored to determine dosage adjustments. We compared enzyme immunoassay, bioassay, and fluorescence immunoassay procedures for measuring gentamicin and tobramycin levels in patients' sera, and in pooled human sera containing added gentamicin and tobramycin. The enzyme immunoassay procedure provided the most acceptable method for monitoring serum aminoglycoside levels on the bases of precision, cost, and turnaround time.