Pulmonary injury induced by gold salts treatment.

Pulmonary damage is one of the rare complications of gold salts therapy. The reaction is that of drug hypersensitivity. The clinical and radiological features as well as the respiratory function tests are that of an interstitial lung disease. This condition is described in four patients and its main features are discussed in the light of the relevant literature. The importance of an early diagnosis is emphasized. Most of the patients recover after the withdrawal of the drug and during corticosteroid treatment.