HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE MENINGITIS A Comparison between Chloramphenicol and Ampicillin Therapy with Special Reference to Impaired Hearing

Abstract

Patients (131) suffering from meningitis due to H. influenzae or H. parainfluenzae were re-examined after 1-15 yr, using hospital records, questionnaires and audiological examination, especially to compare chloramphenicol and ampicillin therapy. Mortality was 3.8%. Subdural effusions occurred unilaterally or bilaterally in 14.5% of cases. There was deafness in 2.3%, and moderate hearing loss in 8.4%. Convulsions appeared later in 6.9%. The final outcome was good in 60%. The most important factors in prognosis seemed to be the severity of the symptoms and the condition of the patient on admission to hospital. No clear difference was seen between the results of chloramphenicol and ampicillin therapy, but total loss of vestibular function was found in 3 cases in the ampicillin group, and in none in the chloramphenicol group. In mortality and deafness, the differences in outcome were similar, although not statistically significant. Evidently the therapy used in H. influenzae meningitis needs re-evaluation.