title: Chloramphenicol: magic bullet or double-edge sword?
abstract: The genetic and genotoxic potentials of chloramphenicol are reviewed and analyzed. Although this widely used antimicrobial agent appears to cause chromosomal effects in somatic cells, in view of the consistent absence of other genetic effects, these cytogenetic abnormalities are ascribed to non-genotoxic causes. It is pointed out that despite its widespread use in human medicine, chloramphenicol has not been systematically tested for genotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Rosenkranz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects; D004260:DNA Repair; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D009152:Mutagenicity Tests; D009153:Mutagens; D013014:SOS Response, Genetics; D012475:Salmonella / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009153:Mutagens; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D004247:DNA