Serum Mercury Levels Research Articles

Surgical Management of Iatrogenic Mercury Poisoning From Subcutaneous Injection Into the Arm.

Mercury, an element with threats of severe toxic insult to humans and no biological function, has a surprisingly extensive record of human exposure. Regardless of hesitancies toward its harmfulness, it has been historically identified with an almost supernatural power to provide protection from evil and sickness, give good fortune, lend aid in athletic undertakings, or even allow one to achieve immortality. Mercury poisoning is an iatrogenic disease even today as people attempt to achieve these effects through volitional injections into their body by practitioners. Although an uncommon practice in the United States, awareness of patient presentation after volitional injections of elemental mercury is necessary for appropriate treatment of these patients. We aim to increase awareness of the cultural practice of subcutaneous injections of mercury, as it is uncommonly seen in the United States, to contribute a broader understanding to the patient's medical presentation and describe an approach and the impact of medical and surgical intervention. In this report, we describe a rare case of elemental mercury poisoning secondary to volitional subcutaneous injection to the arm. Initial management of care through chelation therapy and monitoring of renal and serum mercury levels in addition to symptoms of systemic spread was overseen by an internal medicine physician and poison control. Surgical intervention via full-thickness excision of the visible mercury to the right arm followed by local flap and skin grafting reconstruction was performed. Mercury poisoning from intentional subcutaneous administration is an uncommon patient presentation in the United States; however, knowledge of management of this rare condition is important for effective management of iatrogenic mercury toxicity.

The Causal Association Between Blood Lead and Sleep Disorders: Evidence from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Mendelian Randomization Analysis

BackgroundPoor sleep quality is a global public health concern. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for sleep disorders and clarify their causal effects.MethodsData were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Mendelian randomization (MR)-Base databases. Baseline characteristics of individuals with and without sleep disorders were compared. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the effects of each variable on sleep disorders. Causal effects of blood lead levels and hypertension on sleep disorders were assessed using MR analysis.ResultsIn total, 3660 individuals were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of self-reported sleep disorders was 26.21%. Serum lead level, serum mercury level, serum retinol level, prevalence of hypertension, and daily vigorous work duration were significantly higher for those in the sleep disorders group than the control group. After adjusting for various covariates, the effects of serum lead and hypertension on sleep disorders were stable from logistic regression models 1–4. MR analysis showed that blood lead levels were causally related to the risk of sleep disorders (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.17, P = 0.030). There was no causal link between elevated blood pressure and sleep disorders (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.94–1.04, P = 0.757). Goodness-of-fit tests and sensitivity analyses were used to verify the reliability of the results.ConclusionsBlood lead is positively and causally associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders. These findings provide a novel perspective regarding sleep protection. Taking effective measures to reduce lead exposure may significantly improve sleep health.

Traditional indigenous medicines are an etiologic consideration for NELL1-positive membranous nephropathy

Traditional indigenous medicines are an etiologic consideration for NELL1-positive membranous nephropathy

The Relationship Between Plasma MicroRNAs and Serum Mercury Levels in Patients with Amalgam Filling and Dentists

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum mercury and some plasma microRNA (miRNA) levels associated with neurological diseases in patients with amalgam filling and dentists. 
 Methods: This study included 30 patients with amalgam filling, 30 dentists, and 30 healthy individuals as the control group. Circulating plasma miRNAs (124-3p, 125-5p, and 127-3p) were evaluated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. The serum mercury levels were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparison tests were used for statistical analyses (α =.05). 
 Results: A significant difference in serum mercury and plasma miRNA levels was found between the groups. Significant positive correlations between serum mercury and plasma miRNA 125-5p and 127-3p levels were detected in the patient group (r: 0.56 and r: 0.39, respectively). Serum mercury and plasma miRNA-125-5p levels showed a positive correlation in the dentist group (r: 0.37). 
 Conclusion: Having amalgam filling caused a significant increase in serum mercury and plasma miRNA levels. The presence of a positive correlation suggests that sensitivity to neurological diseases may increase because of mercury exposure. Alternative restorative materials should be preferred for amalgam filling and amalgam fillings should be replaced with other restorative materials under necessary preventions.

Assessment of the hyperlipidemia risk for residents exposed to potential emitted metals in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex.

Hyperlipidemia, which is associated with certain environmental factors, is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Heavy metals are important pollutants from industrial emissions. However, the relationship between the exposure to heavy metals and the occurrence of hyperlipidemia is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum metal levels and the risk of hyperlipidemia in adults living near a petrochemical complex. Our study subjects were 959 residents aged above 35years in 11 townships near the largest petrochemical complex in central Taiwan. The serum levels of chromium, arsenic, and mercury in the study subjects were measured. The basic characteristics of the study subjects were collected via a questionnaire survey, and the levels of blood lipid biomarkers were analyzed by health examination. The definition of hyperlipidemia was defined in the provided guidelines. Adjusted generalized linear and logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the associations between petrochemical-related metal exposure and hyperlipidemia. The study subjects had chromium, arsenic, and mercury serum levels of 3.24±3.45, 3.45±4.66, and 1.24±1.08 (μg/L), respectively, and close proximity of the study subjects to the petrochemical complex was significantly associated with increased serum metal levels. The results showed that the total cholesterol levels were significantly associated with the increased serum chromium, arsenic, and mercury levels. And, the LDL-C levels were significantly associated with the increased serum mercury levels. In addition, the increased serum arsenic and mercury levels of the study subjects were significantly associated with higher odds ratios for abnormal total cholesterol levels and the risk of hyperlipidemia. Residing in close proximity to a petrochemical complex and high arsenic and mercury exposure were associated with elevated blood lipid levels and an increased risk of hyperlipidemia among the residential population in the vicinity of the petrochemical industry.

Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure due to Mercury Inhalation in a Two-Year Old Female

Introduction: Mercury is a toxic trace metal that causes acute respiratory failure when vaporized and inhaled. We report the presentation and management of a two-year-old female with hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to elemental mercury inhalation. Case report: A 2-year-old female presented to our facility with acute respiratory distress. She developed hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. She was found to have high serum mercury levels and was managed with dimercapto succinic acid chelation therapy and high-dose corticosteroids. The patient survived and subsequently recovered. Discussion: This is the first pediatric case of fulminant pneumonitis caused by elemental mercury inhalation managed with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation reported in the medical literature.

Effect of Fish Frequency Consumption on Serum Mercury Levels in Pregnant Mothers and their Newborns

Mercury is a ubiquitous cumulative element which is existed and contaminated in many forms; the most common route is fish intake. The purpose of this work was to study the link between the rate of fishy food consumption and serum mercury level in both pregnant mothers and cord blood of their newborns. This study consisted of 70 pregnant women and their neonates. The study samples were collected from the maternal blood and cord blood of their newborns at the delivery time. The mean of gestational age for their neonates is (36.9 ± 2.1) weeks. Detailed food frequency questionnaire was taken to evaluate the frequency of fish consumption per week, and approximate frequency per month. Measurement of serum mercury level was done using inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This study finds highly significant increase (P ˂0.01) in serum mercury level either in maternal blood or in their newborns’ cord blood in a manner dependent on the frequency of fish consumption. High significant positive correlation (P ˂0.01) has been recorded between maternal mercury level and cord blood mercury level of their newborns. Also, the frequency of fish consumption is high significantly correlated with mercury level in each of maternal blood and cord blood of their newborns (P ˂0.01). Hence, the study concludes that mercury tends to accumulate in fish food chains reaching the human beings. Frequency of fish consumption per month affects the level of mercury in mothers and their neonates.

Mercury Materno-fetal Burden and Its Nutritional Impact.

BACKGROUND:Mercury exists worldwide in food, water and air throwing its health hazards on all body systems.AIM:To show the influence of the presence of mercury in pregnant mothers’ blood on its level in the umbilical cord blood; and to display the relationship between the different foodstuff on the mercury levels in pregnant mothers’ and umbilical cord blood.PATIENTS AND METHODS:This cross-sectional study was conducted on randomly chosen 113 pregnant mothers at the time of labour and on their newborns. Full history, sociodemographic data and food frequency questionnaire for dietary assessment were recorded. The Maternal and neonatal anthropometric measurements together with the Apgar scoring were also measured. Serum mercury levels in both mothers’ and umbilical cord blood were measured using the Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).RESULTS:A high percentage of mothers (82.3%) were exposed to passive smoking. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the maternal and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels (p = 0.002). There was an insignificant negative correlation between the maternal blood and fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels on one side and each of the different foodstuff on the other side (fish, vegetables, fruits and proteins, for example, meat and legumes). An insignificant positive correlation was found between dairy products and of the maternal blood and umbilical cord blood mercury levels.CONCLUSION:The fetal umbilical cord blood mercury levels correlate positively with the maternal blood mercury. The different foodstuff can influence the maternal and umbilical cord blood mercury levels whether by increase or decrease. Strict measures should be taken to decrease environmental mercury contamination with attention to pregnant mothers.

Serum mercury concentration and the risk of ischemic stroke: The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Trace Element Study

BackgroundAlthough biologically plausible, epidemiological evidence linking exposure to methylmercury with increased risk of ischemic stroke is limited. The effects of methylmercury may be modified by selenium, which is an anti-oxidant that often co-exists with mercury in fish. ObjectivesTo examine the association between serum mercury levels with the incidence of ischemic stroke and to explore the possible effect modifications by serum selenium levels and demographic and geographic factors. MethodsA case-cohort study was designed nested in the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke cohort, including 662 adjudicated incident cases of ischemic stroke and 2494 participants in a randomly selected sub-cohort. Serum mercury was measured using samples collected at recruitment. Multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using the Barlow-weighting method for the Cox proportional hazards regression model. ResultsNo statistically significant association was observed between serum mercury concentration and the incidence of ischemic stroke (the highest vs. lowest quintile of mercury levels: HR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.55–1.22; P for linear trend = 0.42). Sex (P for interaction = 0.06), but not serum selenium levels, modified the association; a more evident trend toward lower incidence of ischemic stroke with higher mercury levels was observed among women. ConclusionThis study does not support an association between mercury and the incidence of ischemic stroke within a population with low-to-moderate level of exposure. Further studies are needed to explore the possibility of mercury-induced ischemic stroke toxicity in other populations at higher exposure levels.

Serum heavy metals and lung function in a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cohort

This study was performed to evaluate the potential association between serum heavy metal levels and lung function in a cohort of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. We analyzed data from 152 subjects enrolled in a cohort study on COPD from 2012 to 2013 and living in a dusty area. In total, 152 subjects from the cohort study were enrolled; 111 were diagnosed with OLD. There was a significant association between post-bronchodilator FEV1 and serum mercury level after adjusting for age, gender and smoking status (p=0.03). Following the adjustment, a significantly higher prevalence of OLD was observed in subjects in the highest mercury concentration tertile (p=0.03). The risk of OLD was significantly higher for subjects in the higher mercury concentration (odds ratio, 3.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.29-10.18) than in those in the lowest tertile. In conclusion, serum mercury level may be a risk factor for reduced lung function and OLD.

Human Mercury Exposure Associated with Artisanal Gold Miners in Sudan

Background: Mercury concentration in the blood is one of mercury exposure biomarkers. This study was conducted in Abuhamed mining area in Sudan, during the period from August 2012 to November 2014.The aim of the study was to evaluate serum mercury levels and to assess lung functions in artisanal gold miners. Methods: The study included 123 subjects, of them 83 were working in the gold mining area, beside 50 healthy volunteers from Khartoum State, as control group. Serum mercury was measured by direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80). Lung function tests were done with a portable spirometer. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20. Results: The study observed significant increase in serum mercury levels in the gold miners, when compared with control group (24.9 ± 32.24μg/l) versus (1.40 ± 0.94μg/l) with P value (0.000). The mean forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) in the gold miners was (3.24 ± 0.57) versus (3.40 ± 0.39) in the control group, while the mean forced vital capacity (FVC) in the mercury exposed miners was (3.7 ± 0.69) versus (3.86 ± 0.60) in non-exposed control group. Conclusion: Serum mercury levels significantly increase in the traditional gold miners working in Abuhamed, while forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) decrease but with no statistical significance.

A 3 Year-Old Male Child Ingested Approximately 750 Grams of Elemental Mercury.

The oral ingestion of elemental mercury is unlikely to cause systemic toxicity, as it is poorly absorbed through the gastrointestinal system. However, abnormal gastrointestinal function or anatomy may allow elemental mercury into the bloodstream and the peritoneal space. Systemic effects of massive oral intake of mercury have rarely been reported. In this paper, we are presenting the highest single oral intake of elemental mercury by a child aged 3 years. A Libyan boy aged 3 years ingested approximately 750 grams of elemental mercury and was still asymptomatic. The patient had no existing disease or abnormal gastrointestinal function or anatomy. The physical examination was normal. His serum mercury level was 91 µg/L (normal: <5 µg/L), and he showed no clinical manifestations. Exposure to mercury in children through different circumstances remains a likely occurrence.

Mercury toxicity and DNA damage in patients with Down syndrome

Objective The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between exposure to mercury and DNA damage in children with Down syndrome (DS). Patients and methods Ninety-five Egyptian patients clinically diagnosed and cytogenetically proved to have nondisjunction trisomy 21 and 90 Egyptian healthy controls were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the Clinical Genetics Department, National Research Centre, Egypt. DNA damage was determined using the alkaline comet assay. Serum mercury levels were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results Mercury levels were significantly elevated in the DS group (mean±SE 126.6±9) compared with the control group (72±2) (P≤0.05); moreover, there was a significant increase in the DNA damage levels in the DS group (60.6±5.7) compared with the control group (3.2±0.5) (P≤0.05). Pearson’s correlation results showed positive significant correlation between mercury levels and DNA damage levels in DS patients (P≤0.05). Conclusion Our study suggested that mercury intoxication as well as oxidative stress may be biomarkers of toxicity in patients with DS.

Mercury concentration in maternal serum, cord blood, and placenta in patients with amalgam dental fillings: effects on fetal biometric measurements

Aim: We aimed to determine the extent to which mercury is transmitted from the mother to fetus via the umbilical cord in patients with amalgam dental fillings, and its effect on fetal biometric measurements.Methods: Twenty-eight patients as the study group with amalgam fillings, and 32 of them as the control group were included in this prospective case–control study. The mercury levels were measured in the maternal and cord venous sera, and the placental samples. Two groups were compared in terms of these and the fetal/neonatal biometric measurements.Results: In the study group, the maternal and umbilical cord mercury levels were found to be significantly higher than those from the control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.010, respectively). These high levels did not affect the fetal biometric measurements.Conclusions: The presence of high serum mercury levels in pregnant women with amalgam fillings is important, and warrants further long-term studies in order to investigate the fetal neurological effects as well.

THU0300 Serum Mercury Level and Disease Activity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Case-Control Study

BackgroundEnvironmental contamination with mercury is linked to increased incidence of autoimmune diseases. Exposure to low-dose non-organic mercury has been reported to exacerbate murine SLE.ObjectivesTo study the serum mercury(Hg) levels in...

Serum Mercury Level and Multiple Sclerosis

Exposure to heavy metals has been associated to a higher incidence of multiple sclerosis. In this work, we present a possible relationship between serum mercury levels and development of multiple sclerosis in Isfahan, the third largest city in Iran. Seventy-four patients affected by multiple sclerosis were retrieved from multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic in Isfahan, Iran. By matching sex and age, 74 healthy volunteers were chosen as control group. Blood samples were collected and serum mercury content was determined. Serum mercury level in MS patients was significantly higher than controls (9.6 ± 10.17 vs. 5.7 ± 8.6, P = 0.037). Concerning all MS patients, serum mercury value was significantly higher than the mercury concentration founded in control subjects {odd ratio: 2.39 (CI, 1.96-2.94), P = 0.00}. Serum mercury level is higher in MS patients with odd ratio equal to 2.39 compared with healthy individuals. It may reveal that high mercury levels in serum might help MS development in susceptible individuals. More studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Serum heavy metal and antioxidant element levels of children with recurrent wheezing

Study Objectives The aim of the study is to investigate the levels of toxic heavy metals related with environmental pollution and trace elements involved in antioxidant system in children suffering from recurrent wheezing. Study Design One hundred children with recurrent wheezing (at least three recurrences) between the ages from 1 to 6 years took part in the study, and also 116 age- and sex- matched healthy children were involved in the study as a control group. Venous blood samples were collected and serum mercury, lead, aluminium, zinc, selenium, and copper levels were studied using ICP-MS. Results Serum lead (0.76 ± 0.15 vs. 0.27 ± 0.01, p:0.001) and mercury levels (1.31 ± 0.15 vs 0.71 ± 0.05, p < 0.001) were higher in wheezy group than those acquired from the control group. Serum zinc (69.4 ± 1.65 vs. 78.9 ± 2.78, p:0.005) and selenium (115.6 ± 1.87 vs. 125.4 ± 2.94, p:0.008) levels were lower in wheezy group than those acquired from the control group. Serum zinc levels were found to be correlated with number of ARTIs (r p:−0.332, p:0.001) and the number of wheezy attacks (r p:−0.776, p < 0.001) during the previous year in the wheezy group. Conclusion Elevated levels of serum lead and mercury and low levels of zinc and selenium may suggest some disturbances in the antioxidant system in children with recurrent wheezing. This means that children with recurrent wheezing are much more susceptible to environmental pollutants and respiratory tract infections than healthy children and this heavy metal-antioxidant relationship may play a role as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of recurrent wheezing in children.

Mercury ingestion retrieved by colonoscopy

A 48-year-old woman ingested an unknown amount of elemental mercury in a suicide attempt. On presentation, she was noted to have silver-colored droplets encased below her lower teeth, and an abdominal plain film showed speckled radiopaque material throughout the stomach and small intestine (A). Her initial serum mercury level was 239 μg/L (normal 0-60 μg/L). The patient was initially given succimer, a chelating agent, and subsequently received 4 L of polyethylene glycol to facilitate whole-bowel irrigation.

Ethyl Mercury Poisoning During a Protein A Immunoadsorption Treatment

We describe the case of a 38-year-old woman with Guillain-Barré syndrome who was accidentally intoxicated with thimerosal, a column disinfectant containing ethyl mercury, during a protein A immunoadsorption treatment. The 1-time overdose caused by an equipment handling error led to a maximum blood serum mercury level of 2,250 microg/L, thus exceeding the normal blood reference range by a factor of approximately 200. Although the patient did not show short-or long-term clinical signs of mercury intoxication, she was treated with chelation therapy, and we replaced thimerosal with a commercially available mercury-free disinfectant, suggesting that thimerosal is no longer indicated for preservation of protein A columns.

Metal Levels in Blood Samples From Male Great Lakes Fish Consumers

The Effect of Organochlorines on Male Infertility Study (FINS) is an NIH-funded project investigating the effects of exposure to organochlorine compounds (OC) and metals via fish consumption on male infertility. In the Great Lakes (GL) basin, a potential source of exposure to heavy metals, such as mercury, is through the consumption of sport-caught GL fish. The study population is men participating in FINS who submit semen specimens for analysis and provide blood samples for OC and metals testing. Cros-sectional study. The first 184 whole blood specimens collected from FINS participants were analyzed for 12 metals by the Michigan Department of Community Health Bureau of Laboratories. The mean values and ranges () in micrograms per liter were: Arsenic, 9.5 (5.8 - 25.5); Cadmium, 0.3 (0.0 - 2.8); Chromium, 0.21 (0.0 - 3.6); Copper, 928.4 (700.0 - 1397.0); Lead, 2.0 (0.5 - 16.2); Manganese, 13.5 (8.0 - 30.0); Mercury, 1.8 (0.0 - 14.5; Molybdenum, 0.4 (0.0 - 2.0); Selenium, 187.7 (130.0 - 260.0); Thallium, 0.0 (0.0 - 0.0); Uranium, 0.0 (0.0 - 0.02); Zinc, 6940.0 (5077.0 - 9251.0). In a preliminary analysis of questionnaire data from144 FINS participants for whom complete data existed for metal levels, fish consumption history and sperm concentration, motility and morphology, metal levels were examined for associations with semen parameters and fish consumption using correlation analysis and univariate logistic regression models. In these samples, no association was found between sperm concentration or motility and any metal. High mercury level (above the 75th percentile) was positively associated with consumption of any fish within 12 months (odds ratio = 8.14, 95% CI:[1.848, 35.814], p = 0.006), but not consumption of Great Lakes fish exclusively (odds ratio = 2.35, 95% CI:[0.915, 6.032], p = 0.08). Consumption of ocean fish within the past 3 months was most strongly associated with high mercury level (odds ratio = 10.34, 95% CI:[2.358, 45.351], p = 0.002). Mean serum values of heavy metals in infertile men have now been simultaneously determined. Increased fish consumption correlates with serum mercury levels. Serum levels of heavy metals levels did not correlate with semen parameters in this sample.