Enzymuria in aminoglycoside-induced kidney damage. Comparative study of gentamicin, amikacin, sisomicin and netilmicin.

Forty-one patients with urinary tract infections were randomly assigned to receive for six days gentamicin, amikacin, sisomicin or netilmicin. The dose for each patient was calculated according to creatinine clearance and lean body mass in order to avoid overdosages. Urinary enzymes (alpha-glucosidase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and muramidase), serum creatinine and creatinine clearance, proteinuria and urinary sediment were evaluated for nephrotoxicity. None of the patients developed nephrotoxicity, but urinary enzymes rose significantly in all. The statistical analysis of enzymuria during the treatment permitted the definition of a rank order of the nephrotoxic potential of the aminoglycosides studied.