Anaphylaxis due to chloramphenicol

A patient with group B Streptococcal meningitis and a history of penicillin allergy sustained an anaphylactic reaction following intravenous chloramphenicol. The purity of the infusate was confirmed by reverse-phase high-speed liquid chromatography. Anaphylaxis is a rare event following chloramphenicol administration, but physicians should be aware of this complication, especially in patients with prior exposure to the drug.