The local effect of some antibiotics has been shown to be toxic to the sensory cells of the inner ear. However, little work has been done to study the toxic effect of antibiotics on the olfactory mucosa. The purpose of the present paper is to demonstrate histological changes in the olfactory mucosa of the mouse by use of various antibiotics. The antibiotics used in this experiment were Kanamycin sulphate (KM), Streptomycin sulphate (SM), Crystalline Penicillin G potassium (PC-G) and Cephalothin Na (CET). Moreover, four antibiotics were given either by locally or intramuscularly without anesthesia.
The results were as follows:
1) Intramuscular administration
The most severe changes were observed in the olfactory mucosa after administration of KM. The olfactory epithelium showed thickness and slight irregularity on the surface. The olfactory nerve underwent severe degeneration and disappeared. Moreover, a decrease in the number of the olfactory cilia, and swelling or separation of the cytoplasm were observed.
After administration of SM however, the degeneration was slight. No changes were detected after administration of PC-G or CET.
2) Local administration
The changes in the olfactory mucosa were greater than those of the systemic administration. After administration of either KM or SM, about 50% of the olfactory epithelium were denuded.
Moreover, the olfactory vesicles, olfactory cilia, and microvilli were disappeared. The olfactory nerve also underwent degeneration and disappeared. However, the degeneration was slight after the administration of PC-G and CET.
After administration of KM and SM (aminoglucoside antibiotics) histological changes of the olfactory mucosa were prominent. In Summary, the author suggested that the olfactory disorder might result from the administration of aminoglucoside antibiotics.