GOLD-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (2) , 165-172
Abstract
Ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with gold sodium thiomalate developed thrombocytopenia without bone marrow aplasia. There was no life-threatening blood loss, but petechiae, purpura or ecchymoses were seen in 8 patients. The serum Au levels monitored in 1 patient did not exceed levels seen in patients without thrombocytopenia. In 3 cases peripheral blood lymphocytes were cultured in the presence of Au and tritiated thymidine incorporation was significantly increased. Eight patients responded to steroid therapy, 1 patient to BAL [dimercaprol] and penicillamine and 1 patient to vincristine.