Comparative ototoxic effects of RU 25434, amikacin and neomycin in guinea-pigs.

The ototoxic effects of RU 25434, a new semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotic, were compared to those of amikacin and neomycin. Experiments were performed in adult and new-born guinea-pigs, ototoxicity being assessed by Preyer's reflex response and the measurement of the cochlear microphonic potentials at the end of treatment. The well known ototoxicity of neomycin was observed and RU 25434 appeared to be relatively less toxic than amikacin. The use of new-born guinea-pigs seem to be particularly suitable for this type of study because of their apparent sensitivity to ototoxicity.