Role of chloramphenicol reduction products in aplastic anemia

Oral administration of chloramphenicol did not significantly alter the early stage of chronic hypoplastic marrow failure induced by busulfan. Chloramphenicol reduction products were most suppressive to antigen-reactive cells detected by the Mishell-Dutton plaque-forming cell assay. This reduction in immunocompetence may be an important parameter in the initial phases of the etiology of chloramphenicol-induced aplastic anemia.