Chloramphenicol

This agent is active against salmonellae, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, rickettsiae, and anaerobic bacteria (including Bacteroides fragilis). Now seldom used because of rare irreversible marrow aplasia (approximately l per 20000) and dose-related reversible circulatory collapse in infants ("grey baby syndrome"). Chloramphenicol is well absorbed, hos broad spectrum activity and excellent CSF penetration. Chloramphenicol hos o place in the treat­ment of brain obsess. meningitis in those allergic to beta-lactams, and is also effec­tive in typhoid fever. it is a reasonable alternative to tetracycline for rickettsial infections in children less than 8 years of age .