All that glitters is not gold: Mercury poisoning in a family mimicking an infectious illness.
Article Details
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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]
- 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 UnknownChelatorDetails