colistin and Ataxia

The aim of this study was to examine the changes of sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and F-wave for colistin-induced peripheral neurotoxicity using a mouse model. Mice were administered with colistin 5, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg/day via a 3-min. intravenous infusion. The sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and F-wave were measured using the bipolar recording electrodes. The SNCV and F-wave latency changed in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The significant increase of F-wave latency and significant decrease of SNCV appeared on day 3 (p < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) in the 15 mg/kg/day group, and they were markedly changed on day 7 in the 7.5 mg/kg/day (p < 0.01 and 0.05, respectively) and 15 mg/kg/day groups (both p < 0.01). In addition, F-wave latency also significantly increased on day 7 in the 5 mg/kg/day group (p < 0.05) without any clinical signs. These results indicate that SNCV and F-wave latency were more sensitive in colistin-induced neurotoxicity in mice, which highlights the early monitoring tool of polymyxins neurotoxicity in the clinic.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Ataxia; Colistin; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Infusions, Intravenous; Mice; Muscle Weakness; Neural Conduction; Sensory Receptor Cells

Pulmonary exacerbations of cystic fibrosis associated with strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are resistant to multiple antibiotics are becoming increasingly common. The search for treatment alternatives continues and may include the reexamination of older antibiotics. Colistin sulfate is a polypeptide antibiotic with good activity against P. aeruginosa. Although its use was largely discontinued in the early 1970s because of reports of frequent renal and neurologic toxicity, intravenous colistin is often prescribed at our institution for patients with P. aeruginosa resistant to multiple-drug therapy. We prospectively monitored 19 patients during 21 courses of colistin therapy to identify the character and incidence of this agent's toxicity. Only one case of renal toxicity occurred. Six cases of neurotoxicity occurred, which were characterized by perioral paresthesia, ataxia, or both. The rate of intolerable renal adverse effects secondary to colistin therapy was appreciably lower among these patients than that reported previously for other patients. It appears that intravenous colistin can be considered for cystic fibrosis patients with strains of P. aeruginosa that are resistant to more commonly used antibiotics.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Ataxia; Child; Child, Preschool; Colistin; Cystic Fibrosis; Drug Monitoring; Female; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Male; Paresthesia; Prospective Studies; Proteinuria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotics, Antitubercular; Ataxia; Colistin; Dermatologic Agents; Humans; Kidney Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations