Hypoplastic Anemia and Myeloblastic Leukemia Following Chloramphenicol Therapy

Abstract

A PATHOGENIC relation between aplastic anemia and myeloblastic leukemia has long been suspected. It is well known that certain agents capable of producing aplastic anemia in man can also induce leukemia. Prime examples are benzene^{1 , 2} and irradiation.^{3 , 4} In addition, cases of leukemia developing during the course of hereditary hypoplastic syndromes have been recorded.^{5 , 6} The broad-spectrum antibiotic chloramphenicol^{7 8 9} has become the most commonly cited cause of acquired aplastic anemia. To date, only 1 case report of acute myeloblastic leukemia following aplasia secondary to chloramphenicol administration has been published.¹⁰ The purpose of this communication is to present 2 additional cases of chloramphenicol-induced . . .