Mercury as a cause of membranous nephropathy and Guillain–Barre syndrome: case report and literature review
Ya-Wei Chen, Sun Jing, Shi Wenju, Yupeng Li, Zhang Ping, Liping Han
Abstract
Secondary renal involvement in chronic exposure to metallic mercury is well known. Mercury also causes central nervous system damage and demyelinating polyneuropathy. Here, we describe a case of a patient with daily exposure to mercury in skin lightening cream and hair dyes who was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and then developed nephrotic syndrome because of membranous neuropathy. By reviewing the literature describing mercury-associated diseases, we found that mercury components have an immunomodulatory activity, which is also involved in both peripheral neuropathy and glomerulonephritis.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineNephrotic syndromeMercury (programming language)Guillain-Barre syndromeMembranous nephropathyPolyneuropathyPeripheral neuropathyNephropathyDermatologyPathologyGlomerulonephritisImmunologyKidneyInternal medicineEndocrinologyDiabetes mellitusComputer scienceProgramming languageMercury impact and mitigation studiesHeavy Metal Exposure and ToxicityTrace Elements in Health