Induction of leukaemia in chloramphenicol-treated toads.
Chloramphenicol has been associated with the development of aplastic anaemia. As it is still widely used in Egypt, we studied its effect on 100 Egyptian toads (Bufo regularis) given a dose of chloramphenicol of 5 mg/40 g body weight for 12 weeks. We found it induced numerous, severe ultrastructural changes in almost all types of leukocytes. These changes were similar to those induced by the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene in 100 toads used as the carcinogen control group, and similar to those in leukocytes reported in humans with leukaemia. We recommend regulations be applied on the use of this antibiotic in countries where it is still widely used.
el-Mofty
M M
MM
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
Abdelmeguid
N E
NE
Sadek
I A
IA
Essawy
A E
AE
Aleem
E A
EA
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000506:poisoning; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001835:Body Weight; D002025:Bufonidae; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000009:adverse effects; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004534:Egypt; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D015994:Incidence; D007938:Leukemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D002701:Chloramphenicol