Clinicopathological analysis of mercury poisoning-associated glomerulonephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To elucidate the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with mercury poisoning-associated glomerulonephropathy. Methods Seven patients with mercury poisoning-associated glomerulonephropathy were enrolled in this study. The pattern of mercury exposure, feature of mercury toxicity, and clinicopathological presentation of the kidneys were investigated. Results They were all female, averaged (28.9 ±8.1) years old. Skin-whitening cream was the only cause of mercury poisoning. Proteinuria occurred 5 to 8 months after exposure. Serum mercury were 27.0 to 98.0 μg/L, and spot urinary mercury were 34.4 to 204.0 μg/L. The presentation of all the patients was mild to moderate edema with proteinuria and decreased serum albumin level. Five patients (5/7) were diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome. Six patients underwent renal biopsy 3 cases with minimal change disease, 2 cases with membranous nephropathy and 1 case with focal segmental glomerular sclerosis. All the patients were administrated chelation therapy with sodium dimercaptopropanal sulfonate or sodium dimercaptosuccinic acid for 3 to 7 courses. They got complete remission by 3 to 5 weeks treatment. Conclusions Patients in this study with glomerulonephropathy induced by mercury poisoning are all from skin-whitening cream exposure. Mild to moderate edema and proteinuria are the common clinical pattern. Minimal change disease, membranous nephropathy and focal segmental glomerular sclerosis are found pathologically. Chelation therapy is effective.