Intraocular penetration of colistin.

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> Colistin is a new antibiotic isolated in Japan from the microorganism Aerobacillus colistinus.¹It is very similar to the polymyxins in its chemical composition, and in its spectrum of activity closely resembles polymyxin B. It is highly inhibitory for many gram-negative organisms and only slightly inhibitory or inactive towards grampositive organisms. Colistin is of distinct value in the treatment of localized and generalized infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an organism proved to be resistant to the majority of other antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agents. Its spectrum of activity also includes Escherichia coli, Aerobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and many strains of Salmonella and Shigella. It is not effective against Proteus bacilli. The activity of colistin is not impaired in the presence of serum, whole blood, or the body fluids.² Colistin is available from Warner-Chilcott Laboratories as Coly-Mycin Ophthalmic (colistin sulfate) for topical use for investigational purposes, and as Colistimethate