[Gold-induced fibrosing alveolitis]

Fibrotic alveolitis appeared in a 54-year-old patient undergoing gold therapy. In differential diagnosis, this infrequent side effect of gold therapy is to be distinguished from rheumatoid lung fibrosis. Lymphocyte sub-populations were determined in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid of the patient. The results obtained support the view that the side effect is due to an immunologically mediated process.