Isepamicin sulfate-induced sensorineural hearing loss in patients with the 1555 A-->G mitochondrial mutation.

A mitochondrial mutation at nucleotide 1555 has been reported to be susceptible to aminoglycoside antibiotics as well as one of the causes of nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing loss. We herewith report 2 cases bearing the 1555 A-->G mitochondrial mutation who had hearing loss after short-term exposure to the new aminoglycoside antibiotic, isepamicin sulfate. Even when using aminoglycoside antibiotics with milder side effects, careful attention should be paid in applying them to patients with particular genetic backgrounds.