Mercury Flashcards
What are sources of mercury poisoning?
diuretics and fungicides
ointments, paints and industrial products
What are the three forms of mercury?
elemental metal
inorganic salts - mercuric chloride
organic mercury - methyl mercury
In the environment which form is predominant?
converted to methyl mercury and biocentrated in the biota
what is the absorption and metabolism?
metal - inhalation
inorganic - poor absorption
organic - GIT and skin (lipophilic)
converted to inorganic forms, and to methyl mercury (organic) in environment
What is the distribution and excretion?
accumulation in liver and kidney
fetus acts as “sink”
inorganic - urine
organic - bile and feces
What is the MOA?
inorganic = corrosive and necrosis
binds with sulfydryl groups reducing metabolic activity and causing degenerative change
organic mercury interferes with metabolic activity causing degen changes but no corrosive
What clinical manifestations do inorganic and organic forms cause?
inorganic = GI and neuro
organic = only neuro
What is the GIT clinical signs?
anorexia vomiting salivation diarrhea stomatitis, ulcer
What is CNS clinical signs?
ataxia, tremors blindness terminal convulsions depression paresis or paralysis
What clinical signs are seen in relation to the kidney?
hematuria
proteinuria
uremia
What are the CV signs?
epistaxis
cyanosis
dyspnea
What are the skin sings?
alopecia
keratinization
Pathologically what is found specifically in inorganic exposure vs both? generally
severe GIT lesions in inorganic
where both forms cause degenerative in other organ systems
What GIT path is found in inorganic exposure?
gastroenteritis, stomatitis
mucosal hemorrhage and edema
ulcers
What kidney lesions are found with both types of exposure?
interstitial nephritis
tubular necrosis
