How practical is this genetic screening test?

doi:10.1136/bmj.39388.449028.1F

BMJ 2007;335:952 (10 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.39388.449028.1F

Letters

Aminoglycoside ototoxicity

How practical is this genetic screening test?

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Bitner-Glindzicz and Rahman highlight an important side effectassociated with aminoglycoside administration and a possiblescreening method to reduce this potential risk.¹ They do not,however, point out the lack of clinical practicality of thegenetic test.

In a recent case of acute mastoiditis complicated by a lateralsinus thrombosis it was decided to start administering intravenousgentamicin after mastoidectomy. It was suggested that this geneticscreening test be performed before administration. On contactingthe genetics department, we were informed that the test couldnot be performed at our own hospital and would be referred elsewherefor analysis. We were also informed that a result would taketwo to three days. Gentamicin was therefore started before obtainingthe result of the genetic test on the basis of the clinicalseverity of the case.

Although this form of screening could reduce the rates of ototoxicitysecondary to aminoglycoside administration, its widespread . . . [Full text of this article]

Thomas Rourke, ST2 ENT

St George's Hospital, London SW17 0QT

tomrourke@doctors.org.uk