A Case of Pneumonitis Following Gold Therapy in a Patient with Pemphigus Vulgaris

Abstract

A 53-year-old man with typical pemphigus vulgaris diagnosed clinically and histologically was treated with glucocorticoid and gold sodium thiomalate. After 40 days on continuous gold therapy, pityriasis rosea Gibert-like eruption appeared on the entire skin. The total amount treated was 285mg (190ug/ml in serum). Nine days after discontinuation of the gold therapy, he complained of dyspnea and dry cough. The chest X-ray examination revealed a pneumonitis. Large doses of glucocorticoid were given and the pneumonitis disappeared.