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Aminoglycoside Antibiotics

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Antimicrobials

Abstract

Aminoglycosides were the second major antibiotic class to be discovered from fermentation of microorganisms. They are structurally characterized by an aminocyclitol that is substituted in several different patterns by amino- and/or neutral sugar moieties. They are potent, bactericidal, water-soluble compounds that are given by parenteral administration. They are especially useful for treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Limitations of the class include the development of microbial resistance by a variety of mechanisms and patient toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Several semi-synthetic derivatives have been developed that have improved features, especially increased activity against resistant strains of bacteria. The newest aminoglycoside, plazomicin, is a semi-synthetic derivative of sisomicin that is undergoing further evaluation in clinical trials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 7840 West 88th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46278, USA

    Herbert A. Kirst

  2. Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Flavia Marinelli

  3. The Protein Factory Research Center, Politecnico of Milano, ICRM CNR Milano and University of Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Flavia Marinelli

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  1. Herbert A. Kirst
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  2. Flavia Marinelli
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Correspondence to Herbert A. Kirst .

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  1. Dipartimento di Biotecnologie e Scienze Molecolari, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese, Italy

    Flavia Marinelli

  2. Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Fundación MEDINA, Granada, Spain

    Olga Genilloud

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Kirst, H.A., Marinelli, F. (2014). Aminoglycoside Antibiotics. In: Marinelli, F., Genilloud, O. (eds) Antimicrobials. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-39968-8_10

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