Intravenous self-administration of elemental mercury: efficacy of dimercaprol therapy. 1988

K M Murray, and J C Hedgepeth
Department of Medicine, University of South Carolina.

Deliberate parenteral self-injection of mercury is extremely rare, and is associated with a high degree of mortality and morbidity. Because mercury depresses cellular enzymatic mechanisms by combining with sulfhydryl groups, soluble mercuric salts are toxic to all cells. Embolization of mercury in the lungs has been reported with varying degrees of changes in pulmonary function. Mercury causes urticaria progressing to weeping dermatitis, leukopenia, anemia, diarrhea, salivation, liver damage, and renal damage progressing to acute renal failure with anuria. Dimercaprol is an effective antidote in acute heavy metal intoxication because its two sulfhydryl groups successfully compete with tissue enzyme sulfhydryl groups for the offending metal. Experience with dimercaprol therapy months after the original exposure to mercury is not available. We describe the hospital course of a patient after intravenous elemental injection and the results of dimercaprol therapy months after the original exposure.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007275 Injections, Intravenous Injections made into a vein for therapeutic or experimental purposes. Intravenous Injections,Injection, Intravenous,Intravenous Injection
D008297 Male Males
D008628 Mercury A silver metallic element that exists as a liquid at room temperature. It has the atomic symbol Hg (from hydrargyrum, liquid silver), atomic number 80, and atomic weight 200.59. Mercury is used in many industrial applications and its salts have been employed therapeutically as purgatives, antisyphilitics, disinfectants, and astringents. It can be absorbed through the skin and mucous membranes which leads to MERCURY POISONING. Because of its toxicity, the clinical use of mercury and mercurials is diminishing.
D008630 Mercury Poisoning Poisoning that results from chronic or acute ingestion, injection, inhalation, or skin absorption of MERCURY or MERCURY COMPOUNDS. Poisoning, Mercury,Mercury Poisonings,Poisonings, Mercury
D004112 Dimercaprol An anti-gas warfare agent that is effective against Lewisite (dichloro(2-chlorovinyl)arsine) and formerly known as British Anti-Lewisite or BAL. It acts as a chelating agent and is used in the treatment of arsenic, gold, and other heavy metal poisoning. 2,3-Dimercaptopropanol,2,3-Dithiopropan-1-o1,B.A.L.,BAL in Oil,British Anti-Lewisite,British Anti-Lewisite Agent,Cadmium 2,3-Dimercaptopropanol,Dicaptol,2,3 Dimercaptopropanol,2,3 Dithiopropan 1 o1,2,3-Dimercaptopropanol, Cadmium,Anti-Lewisite Agent, British,Anti-Lewisite, British,British Anti Lewisite,British Anti Lewisite Agent,Cadmium 2,3 Dimercaptopropanol,Oil, BAL in,in Oil, BAL
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012646 Self Administration Administration of a drug or chemical by the individual under the direction of a physician. It includes administration clinically or experimentally, by human or animal. Administration, Self,Administrations, Self,Self Administrations
D013405 Suicide The act of killing oneself. Suicides

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