Immunological studies on the mechanism of gold hypersensitivity reactions

Immunological studies were performed on 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who developed reactions to gold. IgE levels were found to be raised in 10 of 11 patients tested at the time of the gold reaction, returning to normal on stopping therapy. Two of 12 patients with gold reactions had positive in-vitro lymphocyte transformation responses to gold.It is suggested that dermatological side effects in particular are mediated by a type I hypersensitivity response.