[Bone marrow aplasia and gold salts. Review of the literature apropos of 2 cases]

Bone marrow aplasia remains the most serious adverse effect with gold therapy. Its prevalence is still a controversial issue and at present it is not possible to give accurate figures on its frequency. Two patients diagnosed of rheumatoid arthritis are reported. They underwent chrysotherapy and developed bone marrow aplasia within a 2-month period of therapy. The pathogenic mechanism of blood dyscrasias secondary to gold salts is still unknown. The best available method in the prevention of this serious condition is the periodical obtention of complete blood counts.