Hematologic Aspects of Arsenic Intoxication

Abstract

HEMATOLOGIC abnormalities from the organic arsenicals — mainly arsphenamine, neoarsphenamine and oxophenarsine hydrochloride (Mapharsen) — used in antisyphilitic therapy were not uncommon. These consisted of bone-marrow hypoplasia,^{1 2 3} agranulocytosis⁴ and thrombocytopenia.^{5 6 7} Excellent reviews have been published.^{1 2 3 , 7} In contrast, reports of hematologic abnormalities from inorganic arsenic intoxication have been few and limited in scope. Leukopenia has been the most common finding,^{8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15} and white-cell counts as low as 600 have been reported.¹³ Anemia^{9 , 11 , 15} and thrombocytopenia^{15 , 16} have been less common.Recently, we have seen 2 patients with chronic arsenic intoxication that was difficult to recognize clinically and took the form of unusual, serious hematologic . . .