Which of the following antibiotics is generally used in severe infections when first-line therapies fail?

Chloramphenicol is often employed in severe infections when first-line therapies have proven ineffective, particularly in cases of resistant bacterial infections. This antibiotic has broad-spectrum activity against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as some atypical pathogens. Its ability to penetrate well into tissues, including the central nervous system, makes it especially useful for treating severe infections such as meningitis or typhoid fever when other treatments do not yield results.

The relevance of chloramphenicol in this context is reinforced by its historical use in conditions where septicemia or resistant strains are present. While there are concerns regarding its potential side effects, particularly bone marrow suppression, its application remains important in specific clinical scenarios, especially when the risks of using other antibiotics are greater, or when the microbes involved exhibit resistance patterns to the more commonly used agents.

On the other hand, clindamycin, mupirocin, and penicillin have more limited applications for severe cases when compared to chloramphenicol. Clindamycin is effective against certain anaerobes and some Gram-positive bacteria but may not cover all resistant organisms. Mupirocin is primarily used topically for skin infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, and while it’s effective for localized infections