PULMONARY DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH SODIUM AUROTHIOMALATE THERAPY

Abstract

Patients [3] with rheumatoid arthritis developed acute respiratory distress associated with pulmonary infiltration during treatment with sodium aurothiomalate. The temporal relationship to the introduction of Au therapy, an exacerbation following further Au injection in 1 patient, the resolution which followed Au withdrawal and the associated manifestation of Au toxicity in 2 patients favored a diagnosis of Au-induced pulmonary disease.