Chronic Mercury Intoxication Masquerading as Systemic Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
  • Alexandre Malek
    Infectious Diseases Department, Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine/Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Beyrouth http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7867-4502
  • Krystel Aouad
    Internal Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine/Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Beyrouth
  • Rana El khoury
    Internal Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine/Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Beyrouth
  • Maya Halabi-Tawil
    Dermatology Department, Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine/Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Beyrouth
  • Jacques Choucair
    Infectious Diseases Department, Saint Joseph University, Faculty of Medicine/Hotel Dieu De France Hospital, Beyrouth, Lebanon

Keywords

Mercury, Chronic Intoxication, Heavy Metal, Inflammatory disease

Abstract

Background: Mercury is a highly toxic environmental metal that exists in three different forms: elemental, inorganic and organic. Intoxication occurs in either occupational or non-occupational settings, mainly after the inhalation of vapour and fumes in work places, laboratories or homes. Chronic mercury toxicity ranges from mild and insignificant to severe and life-threatening. We describe the case of a young male patient who presented with multiple organ dysfunction after chronic mercury exposure.

Case presentation: We report the case of 28-year-old male artisanal gold miner who was admitted to hospital for severe neurological impairment associated with inflammatory bowel disease-like symptoms and a skin rash after mercury exposure. Symptomatic treatment and corticosteroid administration assured rapid clinical improvement. Chronic mercury poisoning can masquerade as an autoimmune or systemic inflammatory disease.

Conclusion: Physicians should be aware that low exposure to mercury, even from artisanal gold mining, may be harmful to health. Management can be simple without the need for aggressive or invasive therapeutic measures. Larger case series are required in order to establish a clear management plan.

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    Published: 2017-08-29
    Issue: Vol. 4 No. 6 (view)

    How to cite:
    1.
    Malek A, Aouad K, El khoury R, Halabi-Tawil M, Choucair J. Chronic Mercury Intoxication Masquerading as Systemic Disease: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. EJCRIM 2017;4 doi:10.12890/2017_000623.