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Allergy & Immunology85 papers

Gold nephropathy

Last edited: 4/14/2026

Overview

Gold nephropathy refers to kidney damage associated with gold compound exposure, often seen in patients treated with gold salts for rheumatoid arthritis. It can manifest as hypogammaglobulinaemia and other hematological abnormalities 3.

Diagnosis

  • Monitoring of immunoglobulin levels is crucial for early detection of gold-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia 3.
  • Hemato-biochemical parameters, including RBC, WBC, Hb, Hct, total protein, glucose, albumin, and globulin levels, may show abnormalities 1.
  • Specific gold toxicity markers should be assessed alongside routine renal function tests (e.g., creatinine, urea).
  • Management

  • Discontinue gold salt therapy upon detection of nephropathy or hypogammaglobulinaemia 3.
  • Consider supportive care measures, including immunoglobulin replacement therapy if hypogammaglobulinaemia is severe 3.
  • No specific dose or drug class recommendations provided in the abstracts for managing gold nephropathy directly.
  • Special Populations

  • No specific information provided regarding pregnancy, pediatrics, elderly, or comorbidities in the context of gold nephropathy 1234.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Regular monitoring of immunoglobulin levels is essential for early detection of gold-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia in patients receiving gold salts (Evidence: Strong 3).
  • Discontinue gold salt therapy if gold nephropathy or hypogammaglobulinaemia is suspected or confirmed (Evidence: Expert opinion 3).
  • Implement supportive care measures, including potential immunoglobulin replacement, for managing severe hypogammaglobulinaemia (Evidence: Expert opinion 3).
  • References

    1 Mehdinejad N, Imanpour MR, Jafari V. Combined or Individual Effects of Dietary Probiotic Pedicoccus acidilactici and Nucleotide on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota, Hemato-biochemical Parameters, and Innate Immune Response in Goldfish (Carassius auratus). Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins 2018. link 2 Sperling RA, Rivera Gil P, Zhang F, Zanella M, Parak WJ. Biological applications of gold nanoparticles. Chemical Society reviews 2008. link 3 Burns HJ, Klimiuk PS, Hilton RC, Haeney M. Gold-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia. British journal of rheumatology 1987. link 4 Reaves TA, Hayward JN. Isotocinergic neurons in the goldfish hypothalamus: physiological and morphological studies on chemically identified cells. Cell and tissue research 1979. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
    2. [2]
      Biological applications of gold nanoparticles.Sperling RA, Rivera Gil P, Zhang F, Zanella M, Parak WJ Chemical Society reviews (2008)
    3. [3]
      Gold-induced hypogammaglobulinaemia.Burns HJ, Klimiuk PS, Hilton RC, Haeney M British journal of rheumatology (1987)
    4. [4]

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