[Pulmonary toxicity of gold salts]

Pulmonary toxicity associated with gold salt treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is unusual. Only 60 cases had been reported before 1986. This disorder consists primarily of pulmonary interstitial involvement, characterized by hypersensitivity pneumonitis which can lead to variable degrees of pulmonary fibrosis. However, this disease has a good prognosis if treated properly with the simple interruption of gold salts or with corticosteroids, with complete cure in the majority of cases. A case with good response to corticosteroid therapy is reported and the differential diagnosis with pulmonary fibrosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis is analyzed.