Anemia during Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis: lack of an effect of chloramphenicol.
We sought to determine whether chloramphenicol would worsen or mitigate the anemia associated with Haemophilus influenzae type b meningitis if administered in doses which produce 'therapeutic' serum concentrations. Seventy-four cases of H. influenzae meningitis were stratified by chloramphenicol cumulative doses (mg/kg body weight) of less than 300 and greater than 300. There was no significant difference in the decrease in blood hemoglobin concentration or in the increase in the FEP:Heme ratio between the two study groups. Plasma iron and transferrin saturation values indicated iron deficiency at days 1 and 5 of hospitalization; by day 10 mean values were within the normal range. These data suggest that H. influenzae type b meningitis, not chloramphenicol therapy in the presence of monitoring is causing the observed anemia.
Division of Infectious Disease, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, Wash.
B
B
Sherry
A L
AL
Smith
R A
RA
Kronmal
D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D007501:Iron