Gentamicin, Random, Serum
Use
This test is useful for monitoring the adequacy of serum concentration during gentamicin therapy, particularly in specimens for which no collection timing information is provided. Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat life-threatening blood infections caused by gram-negative bacilli, such as Citrobacter freundii, Acinetobacter species, Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia species. The therapeutic monitoring is critical, as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are the primary toxicities associated with gentamicin.
Special Instructions
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Therapeutics Test Request (T831) with the specimen. Patient samples that contain the drug sisomicin will yield falsely elevated gentamicin values. Samples for patients receiving additional antibiotics like penicillins or cephalosporins should be assayed immediately or stored frozen.
Limitations
High concentrations of penicillins or cephalosporins can inactivate gentamicin in vitro. This phenomenon is dependent on the specific aminoglycoside, the type and concentration of the other antibiotic, and storage conditions. Samples with interfering heterophile antibodies may also yield falsely low results. Such antibodies can cause autoagglutination of the microparticle reagent, leading to undetected erroneous values.
FDA ApprovedNew York Approved
Methodology
Immunoassay (Turbidimetric Immunoassay)
Biomarkers
LOINC Codes
- 35668-3
- 35668-3
Result Turnaround Time
0-1 days
Related Documents
For more information, please review the documents below
Specimen
Serum
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Container
Plastic vial
Collection Instructions
Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and the serum aliquoted into a plastic vial within 2 hours of collection.
Causes for Rejection
Gross hemolysis
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature | 72 hours |
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 14 days |