Intra-uterine ototoxicity of gentamycin in guinea pigs

Twenty five female pregnant guinea pigs were used to study the effect of administration of gentamycin to the pregnant animal on the hearing apparatus of the developing embryo. Various concentrations of the drug were administered daily over a variable duration in both early and late stages of gestation. The inner ear, spiral ganglion, cochlear nerve and cochlear nuclei of the newly born animals were histologically examined. The extent of damage was largely dependant on the overall total dose of gentamycin received rather than on the daily dose. The sensory elements of the inner ear were more susceptible than the neural and nuclear elements. The various pathological changes are described and important clinical implications are stated

Intra-uterine ototoxicity of kanamycin: an experimental histopathological study

Kanamycin, in various concentrations was administered to25 adult female pregnant guinea pigs, over a variable duration in both early and late stages of gestation. The inner ear spiral ganglion, cochlear nerve and cochlear nuclei of the offspring born to the animals under test were histologically examined. The sensory cells of the inner ear were the elements to be primarily damaged, while the retrocochlear structures were invariably saved. The damage was largely dependent on the total dose of kanamycin, and was more pronounced when given in late pregnancy than in its early stages. The various pathological changes are described and important clinical implications are stated

Evaluation of some acute phase reactants, antistreptolysin-o-titre and surface swab culture in diagnosing the tonsils with positive core culture for group A beta hemolytic streptococci

Persistence of group A beta hemolytic streptococci [GABHS] in the core of the tonsil as a result of fibrosis and or presence of B-lactamase producing bacteria, is believed to be an important cause of recurrence of rheumatic fever in rheumatic subjects who are under penicillin prophylaxis. The aim of the present work was to correlate certain laboratory tests [ESR. CRP and ASOT] together with surface swab culture of the tonsils with the results of core culture for group A beta hemolytic streptococci [GABHS] for possible application in selecting cases of rheumatic children for tonsillectomies. The study was carried out on 50 children aged from 5 to 15 years with chronic tonsillitis who were admitted to hospital for tonsillectomy. The results of the tests showed that in cases: [1] With high ASOT [400 Todd units or more], the core culture for group ABHS was positive in 85.75%. [2][With surface swab culture positive for group ABHS, the core culture was positive in 82.75%. [3] With high ASOT and surface culture positive, the core culture was positive in 100%. [4] With high ASOT and high ESR, the core culture was positive in 100%. [5] With high ESR and surface culture positive, the core culture was positive in 95%. We concluded that in all the previous conditions, the tonsils can be considered harbouring group ABHS in their core, besides B-lactamase producing bacteria in nearly half the cases; and tonsillectomy is indicated