Bacteriologic Relapse inHaemophilus influenzaeMeningitis

Abstract

THE effectiveness of ampicillin as the sole antibiotic in the treatment of meningitis due to Haemophilus influenzae, Diplococcus pneumoniae and Neisseria meningitidis has been reported.^{1 2 3} Although comparative studies have demonstrated little difference between the results of ampicillin therapy in meningitis and prior conventional therapy there are apparent advantages to ampicillin administration: one drug is used rather than two or three; and the risk of chloramphenicol and sulfonamide toxicity is eliminated.^{1 2 3} With chloramphenicol therapy for H. influenzae meningitis it is perhaps ill advised, but not an uncommon practice, to change the route of antibiotic administration from parenteral to oral when the . . .