Long-term outcome of Hemophilus influenzae meningitis related to antiobiotic treatment.

Of 82 patients treated for Hemophilus influenzae meningitis from 1968 to 1975, a total of 22 (26.8%) showed neurologic or psychologic sequelae, or both. Auditory impairment was the most common type of sequelae; it occurred in 15 patients. Complications during acute illness were more frequent in patients who later developed sequelae than in patients who recovered completely. Sequelae were more often found in patients who received both ampicillin and chloramphenicol concomitantly compared with patients who were treated with one of these drugs. A possible antagonistic interaction between ampicillin and chloramphenicol is discussed.