Karnataka PGET 2007 Pharmacology MCQ Answer 08

The correct answer is B

Chloramphenicol, is haemotoxic in man, inducing three effects . First, a frequently occurring reticulocytopenia and mild anaemia, sometimes seen in association with leucopenia (granulocytopenia) and thrombocytopenia . This form of bone marrow depression develops during treatment, is dose-related, and is rapidly reversible (in two to three weeks) on withdrawal of therapy. The bone marrow shows normal or reduced cellularity with decreased numbers of erythroid cells, an increased myeloid : erythroid (M : E ratio), and vacuolation of precursor cells.

The second major haemotoxicity is aplastic anaemia (AA). This change is relatively rare, but is seen in peripheral blood as a severe pancytopenia. The effect is not related to the dose of the drug, develops weeks after therapy, and is often irreversible and fatal; the marrow is acellular or hypocellular.

Category: Karnataka PGET 2007 MCQs