Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of elemental mercury following self-administration

Figures & data

Table 1.  Distribution of laboratory parameters evaluated for the clinical assessment of the patient

Parameters	Median values (range)	Reference values	Abnormal values^a
White blood cells (G/L)	12,77 (3,77–20,19	4–10	20/28
Hemoglobin (g/dL)	9.85 (7.10–11.90)	12–18	28/28
AST (U/L)^b	54 (18–275)	<60	17/25
ALT (U/L)^c	60 (10–180)	<46	13/25
Bilirubin (mg/dL)	1.90 (0.6–3.8)	<1.3	13/19
CPK (U/L)^d	417 (73–1,778)	<170	21/24
LDH (U/L)^e	1,384.50 (935–2,500)	315–620	14/14
Fibrinogen (mg/dL)	974.50 (590–1,715)	150–400	16/16

For each parameter, reference values, as well as the prevalence of abnormal values (referred to the total of determinations), are reported.

^aNo more than one value per day (the first of the day) is included in the total count.

^bserum aspartate aminotransferase.

^cserum alanine aminotransferase.

^dserum creatine phosphokinase.

^eserum lactate dehydrogenase.

Fig. 1.  Antero-posterior chest X-ray film at admission.

Fig. 2.  High-resolution computed tomography scans (day 11).

Fig. 3.  Radiographic scans of the forearm.

Fig. 4.  Profiles of mercury (Hg) concentrations in different sampled matrices [(A) urine; (B) bronchoalveolar fluid (BF); (C) blood; (D) plasma; (E) red blood cells (RBC)] throughout the biomonitoring period (days 1–19) in hours (h). The hatched bar indicates the 24-h chelation challenge test.

Fig. 5.  Profiles of cumulative mercury excretion by the kidneys (A) and the bronchoalveolar fluid (BF) (B) throughout the biological monitoring period (days 1–19). The hatched bars indicate the 24-h chelation challenge test.