A comparative study of gentamicin and netilmicin in the treatment of gram-negative infections.

Netilmicin is active in vitro against a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria, including certain gentamicin-resistant isolates, and Staphylococcus aureus. This study presents the results of a prospective, randomized, double-blinded protocol designed to determine the relative efficacy and toxicity of netilmicin and gentamicin in the therapy of gram-negative infections. The demographic make-up of both treatment groups was similar. Cure rates were 96.7 percent with netilmicin and 94.4 percent with gentamicin. Possible transient nephrotoxicity developed in nine patients receiving netilmicin and in eight patients receiving gentamicin.