Gentamicin - Spectrum of Activity

Spectrum of Activity

Active against a wide range of human bacterial infections, mostly Gram-negative bacteria including Pseudomonas, Proteus, Serratia, and the Gram-positive Staphylococcus. Gentamicin is not used for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis or Legionella pneumophila bacterial infections (because of the risk of the patient going into shock from lipid A endotoxin found in certain Gram-negative organisms). Gentamicin is also useful against Yersinia pestis, its relatives, and Francisella tularensis (the organism responsible for Tularemia seen often in hunters and/or trappers). In the meanwhile, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Enterococci, Staphylococcus auricolaris and Staphylococci have developed resistance to Gentamicin Sulfate, USP to varying degrees.