Relapse of Hemophilus influenzae Type b Meningitis After Combined Antibiotic Therapy: Report of a Case

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Abstract
Antibiotic therapy of bacterial meningitis is being reevaluated due to reports to ampicillin-resistant strains of H. influenzae type b. The infant reported had a relapse of H. influenzae type b meningitis after an excellent clinical and bacterilogic response to an initial course of combined antibiotic therapy including chloramphenicol. This relapse is postulated to be due to localized cerebral vasculitis which was not treated for a sufficient period of time during the initial course of therapy. The paitent responded well to a 2nd course of penicillin and chloramphenicol. Since the use of penicillin and chloramphenicol will be increasing, the clinician should be aware that bacterilogic response of H. influenzae type b meningitis may occur with chloramphenical therapy.