Abstract: Objective To understand the current situation and progress trends of research on polymyxin renal toxicity and reflect major scientific advances and influence in this field. Methods The literatures of polymyxin renal toxicity were retrieved based on Web of Science TM database from 1995 to 2015. The retrieving strategy was TS=(TI=polymyxin or TI=colistin) AND(TI=renal toxicity or TI=nephrotoxicity). All retrieved literatures were given statistical analysis from aspects of years, countries/regions, authors, periodical distribution and high-frequency cited literatures of polymyxin renal toxicity by using bibliometric method. Results There were totally 386 literatures retrieved, and quantity of issued papers increased year by year. The level of research on polymyxin renal toxicity is the highest in USA, and higher in Greece and Australia. The authors with higher output and impact mostly came from Australia and Greece. Results from the research shoued that most often polymyxin nephrotoxicity was mild to moderate in magnitude and reversible in nature. Clinicians must weigh the risk and benefit of continuing versus stopping polymyxin treatment and optimize medication strategies to reduce polymyxin-induced toxicities. Conclusion The research of polymyxin renal toxicity has been developed rapidly in the world and there are some unclear questions which need further research.

Key words: polymyxin, nephrotoxicity, literature bibliometric analysis