ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and therapeutic approach for mercury poisoningassociated nephritic syndrome. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data of 9 patients diagnosed with mercury poisoningassociated nephritic syndrome were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 9 cases,2 cases were mercury smelters,1 case was instrument production worker,1 case was traditional Chinese medicine preparation worker,4 cases were psoriasis treated by folk prescription of traditional Chinese medicine,and 1 case used cosmetics for whitening and freckle removal. All cases showed clinical manifestation of nephritic syndrome that included large amount of proteinuria,hypoalbuminemia,edema and hyperlipidemia. The concentrations of urine mercury in the patients were from 0. 09 to 0. 75 mg / L before treatment.Pathology examination on renal biopsy showed that there were 4 cases of minimal change nephropathy and 5 cases of membranous nephropathy at stage Ⅰ. The patients with nephritic syndrome were cured after mercury driving and treatment with corticosteroid. CONCLUSION: The kidney histopathology changes in patients with mercury poisoning-associated nephritic syndrome are primarily characterized by minimal change and membranous nephropathy. The mercury driving combined treatment with corticosteroid can completely relieve the clinical symptoms of the patients with mercury poisoningassociated nephritic syndrome.