All that glitters is not gold: Mercury poisoning in a family mimicking an infectious illness.

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Atti SK, Silver EM, Chokshi Y, Casteel S, Kiernan E, Dela Cruz R, Kazzi Z, Geller RJ

All that glitters is not gold: Mercury poisoning in a family mimicking an infectious illness.

Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2020 Mar 6:100758. doi: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2020.100758.

PubMed ID

32151591 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Three siblings with inhalational elemental mercury toxicity presented with fever, rash, and upper respiratory tract symptoms. The patients were heavily exposed to elemental mercury that was spilled in their home and then vacuumed. Initial whole blood mercury levels were elevated at >200 microg/L, 153 microg/L and 130 microg/L (Mayo Clinic Laboratories lab reference range <9 microg/L) for Cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. All three required chelation with succimer. Clinically significant elemental mercury toxicity can resemble an infectious illness. Severe morbidity and mortality can be prevented if heavy metal poisoning is considered early, through a detailed history including an environmental exposure history. For elemental mercury spills in the home, safe and effective clean-up steps are needed. Improved public health education is needed to prevent similar household exposures.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Dimercaptosuccinic acid	Mercury	Small molecule	Humans	Unknown	Chelator	Details