Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit. It is effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as some rickettsial infections. First discovered in 1947 from Streptomyces venezuelae, it was one of the earliest antibiotics used to treat serious infections like typhoid fever, meningitis, and eye infections. Chloramphenicol can be administered orally, intravenously, or topically, depending on the infection site. Its use is now restricted due to potential serious side effects, such as bone marrow suppression, but it remains important in resource-limited settings and for specific severe infections. The drug marked a significant advancement in antibacterial therapy during the mid-20th century and continues to be a valuable option in modern medicine when alternatives are limited.
