Clinical Spectrum of Mercury Poisoning in India: Case-series from a Poison Control Center. 2023

Amith Balachandran, and Mohan Jambugulam, and Krupa George, and Srija Inturi, and Swathi Padankatti, and Anand Alwan, and Sherin Susheel Mathew, and Arun Jose Nellickal, and Anand Zachariah, and Ravikar Ralph
Senior Resident.

BACKGROUND Mercury is a naturally occurring heavy metal that finds wide application in industrial and household settings. It exists in three chemical forms which include elemental (Hg0 ), inorganic mercurous (Hg+) or mercuric (Hg++) salts, and organic compounds. All forms are highly toxic, particularly to the nervous, gastrointestinal, and renal systems. Common circumstances of exposure include recreational substance use, suicide or homicide attempts, occupational hazards, traditional medicines, and endemic food ingestions as witnessed in the public health disasters in Minamata Bay, Japan and in Iraq. Poisoning can result in death or long-term disabilities. Clinical manifestations vary with chemical form, dose, rate, and route of exposure. OBJECTIVE To summarize the incidence of mercury poisoning encountered at an Indian Poison Center and use three cases to highlight the marked variations observed in clinical manifestations and long-term outcomes among poisoned patients based on differences in chemical forms and routes of exposure to mercury. METHODS A structured retrospective review of the enquiry-database of the Poison Information Center and medical records of patients admitted between August 2019 and August 2021 in a tertiary care referral center was performed. All patients with reported exposure to mercury were identified. We analyzed clinical data and laboratory investigations which included heavy metal (arsenic, mercury, and lead) estimation in whole blood and urine samples. Additionally, selected patients were screened for serum voltage-gated potassium ion channels (VGKC)- contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) antibodies. Three cases with a classical presentation were selected for detailed case description. RESULTS Twenty-two cases were identified between August 2019 and August 2021. Twenty (91%) were acute exposures while two (9%) were chronic. Of these, three representative cases have been discussed in detail. Case 1 is a 3.5-year-old girl who was ought to the emergency department with suspected elemental-mercury ingestion after biting a thermometer. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Chest and abdominal radiography revealed radiodense material in the stomach. Subsequent serial radiographs documented distal intestinal transit of the radiodense material. The child remained asymptomatic. This case exemplifies the largely nontoxic nature of elemental mercury ingestion as it is usually not absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Case 2 is a 27-year-old lady who presented with multiple linear nodules over both upper limbs after receiving a red intravenous injection for anemia. Imaging revealed metallic-density deposits in viscera and bones. Nodular biopsy was suggestive of mercury granulomas. A 24-hour urine mercury levels were elevated. She was advised chelation therapy with oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Case 3 is a 22-year-old lady who presented with acrodynia, neuromyotonia, tremulousness, postural giddiness, tachycardia, and hypertension for 2 months, associated with intractable, diffuse burning pain over the buttocks and both lower limbs, 1 month after completing a 3-week course of traditional medications for polycystic ovarian syndrome. A 24-hour urine normetanephrine levels and mercury levels were markedly elevated. Serum anti-VGKC antibodies were present. She was treated with glucocorticoids and oral DMSA with a favorable clinical response. CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestations of mercury toxicity are highly variable depending on the source, form, and route of mercury exposure and are related to its toxicokinetics.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
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
D011039 Poison Control Centers Facilities which provide information concerning poisons and treatment of poisoning in emergencies. Centers, Poison Control,Center, Poison Control,Control Centers, Poison,Poison Control Center
D011042 Poisons Substances which, when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed, or when applied to, injected into, or developed within the body in relatively small amounts may, by their chemical action, cause damage to structure or disturbance of function. (From Dorland, 27th ed) Poison
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D004113 Succimer A mercaptodicarboxylic acid used as an antidote to heavy metal poisoning because it forms strong chelates with them. DMSA,Dimercaptosuccinic Acid,2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid,Butanedioic Acid, 2,3-Dimercapto-, (R*,S*)-Isomer,Chemet,Ro-1-7977,Succicaptal,Succimer Antimony Sodium Salt, (R*,S*)-Isomer,Succimer, (R*,R*)-(+,-)-Isomer,Succimer, Dipotassium Salt,Succimer, Disodium Salt,Succimer, Monosodium Salt,Succimer, Rhenium Salt,Succimer, Tin Salt,Tin Dimercaptosuccinate,meso-Dimercaptosuccinic Acid,2,3 Dimercaptosuccinic Acid,Acid, 2,3-Dimercaptosuccinic,Acid, Dimercaptosuccinic,Acid, meso-Dimercaptosuccinic,Dimercaptosuccinate, Tin,Dipotassium Salt Succimer,Disodium Salt Succimer,Monosodium Salt Succimer,Rhenium Salt Succimer,Ro 1 7977,Ro17977,Tin Salt Succimer,meso Dimercaptosuccinic Acid
D005260 Female Females
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

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