Erythro-myeloid aplasia following D-penicillamine treatment in primary biliary cirrhosis

Abstract

Summary A woman with primary biliary cirrhosis and a high liver copper concentration was treated with D-penicillamine as a participant in a controlled trial of the drug. After 14 weeks she developed a Pseudomonas septicaemia and was found to have erythro-myeloid aplasia. Similar, but not identical blood dyscrasias have previously been reported as complications of D-penicillamine therapy. She survived after treatment with antibiotics and granulocyte transfusions, and bone marrow function returned to normal.