title: Injectable gold dermatitis and proteinuria: retreatment with auranofin.
abstract: Seven female patients with classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treated successfully with injectable gold salts (Fosfocrisolo ICI, 0.10 g/week, with a serum gold concentration of 200-400 mcg/dl), experienced severe gold side-effects after 3 to 20 months of therapy, requiring their withdrawal from gold despite the good results in both clinical and laboratory findings. Four patients showed mucocutaneous side-effects (2 dermatitis and 2 stomatitis) and three a moderate or severe proteinuria. Renal biopsy was performed in these patients, with a histological picture of membranous glomerulonephritis referable to gold therapy. Remission inducing drug (R.I.D.) therapy being mandatory in patients with a chronic progressive disease, and in view of the previous efficacy of gold salts, the patients were put on oral gold, Auranofin being administered 3 mg b.i.d. Both the mucocutaneous side-effects and the proteinuria ameliorated within 2 to 6 months, and the remission of the disease was maintained. The chemical and pharmacokinetic differences between the above two gold compounds are discussed.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cagnoli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guidi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murelli
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Messina
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Colombo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001310:Auranofin; D006051:Aurothioglucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D006046:Gold / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D006051:Aurothioglucose; D001310:Auranofin; D006046:Gold