Test ID: GENT
Gentamicin, Random, Serum
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Monitoring adequacy of serum concentration during gentamicin therapy
This unit code is used whenever a specimen is submitted or collected without collection timing information
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Enzyme-Multiplied Immunoassay Technique (EMIT)
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Collection Container/Tube: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Spin down within 2 hours of draw.
2. Serum for a peak level should be drawn 30 minutes after completion of dose (order GENPK/84695 Gentamicin, Peak, Serum). Serum for a trough level should be drawn no more than 30 minutes prior to next dose (order GENTT/81591 Gentamicin, Trough, Serum).
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Other | Serum gel tube |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum Red | Frozen (preferred) | 14 days |
| Refrigerated | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat life-threatening blood infections caused by gram-negative bacilli, particularly Citrobacter freundii, Acinetobacter species, Enterobacter species, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia species. It is often used in combination with beta-lactam therapy.
A gentamicin minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of < or =4.0 mcg/mL is considered susceptible for gram-negative bacilli. A MIC of < or =500 mcg/mL is considered synergistic when combined with appropriate antibiotics for treatment of serious enterococcal infections.
Conventional dosing of gentamicin is usually given 2 to 3 times per day by intravenous or intramuscular injections in doses to achieve peak blood concentration between 5.0 to 12.0 mcg/mL depending on the type of infections. Gentamicin also may be administered at higher doses (usually 5-7 mg/kg) once per day to patients with good renal function (known as pulse dosing). Dosing amount or interval must be decreased to accommodate for reduced renal function.
Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are the primary toxicities associated with gentamicin. This risk is enhanced in presence of other ototoxic or nephrotoxic drugs. Monitoring of serum levels and symptoms consistent with ototoxicity is important. For longer durations of use, audiology/vestibular testing should be considered at baseline and periodically during therapy.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
GENTAMICIN, PEAK
5.0-12.0 mcg/mL
GENTAMICIN, TROUGH
<2.0 mcg/mL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
Goal peak concentrations levels depend on the type of infection being treated. Goal trough levels should be <2.0 mcg/mL. Peak targets are generally between 5.0 and 12.0 mcg/mL for conventional dosing. Prolonged exposure to either peak levels exceeding 12.0 mcg/mL or to trough levels exceeding 2.0 mcg/mL may lead to toxicity.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
No significant cautionary statements
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Hammett-Stabler CA, Johns T: Laboratory Guidelines for Monitoring of Antimicrobial Drugs. Clin Chem 1998;44(5):1129-1140
2. Moyer TP: Therapeutic drug monitoring. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Fourth edition. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood, Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 2006
3. Wilson JW, Estes LL: Mayo Clinic Antimicrobial Therapy Quick Guide. Mayo Clinic Scientific Press and Information Healthcare USA, 2008
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
This assay is performed by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) using an Olympus analyzer. EMIT offers an alternative to the traditional spectroscopic and chromatographic method for quantitating blood concentrations of drugs. The technique for drugs is based upon an enzymatic assay for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, using spectral properties at 340 nm, in which the reduction of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) substrate is monitored. The basis of the drug detection technique is an immunological reaction between the drug and a specific antibody. The reagent contains the enzyme (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) to which the drug is covalently bound and an antibody specific to the drug. The antibody binds most of the drug-bound enzyme, rendering the enzyme inactive. This results in a baseline enzymatic activity. In the presence of free drug, antibody equilibrates between free drug and enzyme-bound drug leaving some of the drug-bound enzyme uncomplexed and able to catalyze the reaction. If more free drug is introduced, either as standard or sample, then competition for the antibody takes place between the drug in the sample and the drug attached to the enzyme. This results in more drug-bound enzyme being left uncomplexed and able to catalyze the enzyme reaction at a greater rate as compared to the baseline activity. The observed enzyme activity increases with the amount of total free drug in the sample.(Moyer TP: Therapeutic drug monitoring. In Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry. Fourth edition. Edited by CA Burtis, ER Ashwood. Philadelphia, WB Saunders Company, 2005, pp 1237-1285)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Sunday; Varies
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
80170
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| 81750 | Gentamicin, Random, S | 35668-3 |


