Typhoid fever complicated by chloramphenicol toxicity, ataxia and psychosis

A case of typhoid fever complicated by pancytopenia, cerebellar signs and psychosis is described. The association of reversible marrow suppression with chloramphenicol treatment and its clinical features are outlined. The features of cerebellar dysfunction and of psychosis in patients with typhoid are described. Recommendations are made to help identify the problem of chloramphenicol-induced marrow suppression when it occurs.