Sensitization to chloramphenicol; a persistent problem

A surprisingly high incidence of chloramphenicol sensitization is reported in 8 patients with periocular or periauricular dermatitis. In 6 of them, relevance was established to the use of topical chloramphenicol. Concurrent sensitization to polymyxin B sulphate was found in 2. The findings stress the fact that chloramphenicol allergy remains a persistent problem.