FLAVOBACTERIUM-MENINGOSEPTICUM MENINGITIS IN A PREMATURE NEWBORN TREATED WITH CHLORAMPHENICOL AND THIAMPHENICOL

A case of nosocomial meningitis due to Flavobacterium meningosepticum in a premature baby is reported. The organism was susceptible to eryth romycin, chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol, but was resistant to the a ntimicrobials commonly used during the neonatal period. Chloramphenico l was given although serum assays of the drug were not available, The patient developed gray baby syndrome, which resolved within four days of switching to thiamphenicol. There was no hematologic toxicity. Erad ication of the organism was achieved within 21 days, but noncommunicat ing hydrocephalus developed, The pathogenic potential of Flavobacteriu m meningosepticum is discussed, as well as the therapeutic problems an d complications seen with this organism.