Bedřich Smetana's illness associated with complete hearing loss has been linked to various diseases in a long-running discussion. Senile dementia, atherosclerosis, progressive paralysis in lues are mentioned, while the ototoxicity of mercury is neglected. Its high concentration in the composer's skeletal remains was demonstrated by the authors of this article immunohistochemically and especially by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method 23 years ago. The significance of this find has been neglected in connection with the dominant effort to prove the composer's venereal disease, the diagnosis of which, however, has not yet been unequivocally verified. Therefore, the existing results of the osteological examination were revised and the available sample was supplemented with an immunohistochemical examination using an antibody against treponemes and a silvering method with a negative result. On the other hand, an expert literature search focused on mercury ototoxicity confirmed our assumption that chronic intoxication with this metal, which was probably part of ointments applied not only in childhood but also later in adulthood, could contribute to hearing loss. This metal, until recently used in dermatology as a component of ointments, is resorbed and, as has recently been proven, causes various neuropsychic disorders, including disorders and even hearing loss. With this communication, we would like to initiate a new discussion on all aspects of the composer's illness.
- Klíčová slova
- Bedřich Smetana, hearing loss, chronic mercury intoxication, ototoxicity of mercury cream,
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nedoslýchavost * chemicky indukované MeSH
- otrava rtutí diagnóza komplikace MeSH
- rtuť MeSH
- významné osobnosti MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- historické články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- rtuť MeSH
The efficacy of treatment for intravenous elemental mercury intoxication has not been fully studied with regard to clinical outcome, and treatment recommendations vary. We treated a 41-year-old man with a history of drug abuse and depression who attempted suicide using 1 mL (13.53 g) metallic Hg i.v. He was admitted to the hospital 2 months later for dyspnoea and thoracic pain and was diagnosed with pneumonia. Hg deposits were seen in the lungs and extra-pulmonary organs. His blood level (372 μg/L) exceeded the population level of 5 μg/L by more than 70 times. Dimercaptopropane sulphonate sodium (DMPS; 600 mg/day orally) was administered for 14 days. One year later, the patient presented with dyspnoea on exertion, fatigue, depression and impaired sleep. His chest X-ray showed multiple opacities (size up to 2.8 cm), and psychological testing revealed a selective cognitive deficit in the area of visual attentiveness, flexibility, source memory and impairment of the motor speed of the dominant upper extremity. Mercury blood level was 158 μg/L and mercury urine output was 1380 μg/24 hr. DMPS (800 mg/day orally) was administered for 40 days; the patient eliminated up to 18 mg Hg/day. His Hg blood level and Hg urine output belong to the highest among reported cases. In spite of the therapy, the patient's blood Hg, complaints and psychological tests showed no improvement. This case report confirms that DMPS does not effectively remove intravenous deposits of metallic Hg.
- MeSH
- chelátová terapie * MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- injekce intravenózní MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- otrava rtutí farmakoterapie MeSH
- pokus o sebevraždu MeSH
- unithiol terapeutické užití MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- Názvy látek
- unithiol MeSH
INTRODUCTION: Heavy metals can negatively influence the reproduction due to the fact that they are able to impair the immune reactions including autoantibody production in susceptible individuals. In such a way the infertility could be also caused by altered pathologic immune reaction. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the in vitro lymphocyte reaction after stimulation with metals and production of gamma interferon and antisperm antibodies in supernatants after lymphocyte stimulation in patients with infertility and with proven antisperm antibodies in their serum. The cause of antisperm antibodies presence was not determined. METHODS: The diagnosis of metal allergy was performed by the lymphocyte proliferation method modified for metals (MELISA) in supernatants of tissue cultures of lymphocytes without the antigen stimulation and after stimulation with mercury chloride, the in vitro production of gamma interferon and antisperm antibodies was studied by ELISA. RESULTS: More than 50% of patients were reacting to mercury, iron, aluminium and silver as mean by lymphocyte reactivity. When compared the lymphocyte reaction in patients with and without mercury allergy we found that the lymphocytes of patients with mercury intolerance produced less gamma interferon and more antisperm antibodies in supernatants after mercury stimulation of their lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: In patients with metal intolerance diagnosed by the MELISA test the release of metal ions from dental materials can be one of the stimulating factors which may adversely affect fertility.
- MeSH
- aktivace lymfocytů účinky léků MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- infertilita epidemiologie imunologie MeSH
- interferon gama metabolismus MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- lymfocyty účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- otrava nervového systému rtutí epidemiologie etiologie imunologie MeSH
- protilátky imunologie MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- spermie imunologie MeSH
- techniky in vitro MeSH
- zubní amalgam škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- interferon gama MeSH
- protilátky MeSH
- zubní amalgam MeSH
OBJECTIVE: A one-year follow-up was performed of a 21-year-old man with a 16-year history of diabetes mellitus type I, who had been using ointment containing 10% mercuric ammonium chloride (hydrargyrum amidochloratum; HgNH(2)Cl) for eczema for approximately 3 weeks. Tiredness, fasciculations on the extremities and poor control of diabetes appeared after the end of the ointment treatment. Nephrotic syndrome and hypertension were diagnosed 1 month later. Two months after the ointment application the patient was very weak with tremors of the hands, almost unable to walk, and had lost 20 kg of body weight. He had severe neurasthenic symptoms and his behaviour suggested acute psychosis. METHODS: Internal, neurological and neuropsychological examinations were performed. Mercury in urine was determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The urine mercury level on admission was 252.0 microg/l. He was treated with Dimaval, sodium (2,3)-dimercaptopropane(-1)-sulphonate capsules for 12 days (total dose 6.3 g). The highest urine mercury excretion during antidote treatment was 2336.0 microg/24 h. The patient had proteinuria of up to 11.10 g/24 h, and renal biopsy revealed diffuse membranous glomerulonephritis of the 1st stage without apparent diabetic nephropathy. Similarly, neuropathy did not have typical signs of diabetic neuropathy. His clinical condition started to improve during the first 2 weeks. Further follow-up has shown slow normalisation of renal functions. After 1 year, proteinuria decreased to 0.62 g/24 h and body weight normalised. Neuropsychological and electromyographic findings became almost normal. CONCLUSION: Severe intoxication developed after a short period of ointment application. Most signs of damage disappeared in the course of 1 year, except mild proteinuria and neuropathy. The evolution was favourable and confirmed the primary role of mercury intoxication in the severe deterioration of the clinical status of the patient.
- MeSH
- amoniak aplikace a dávkování otrava terapeutické užití MeSH
- aplikace lokální MeSH
- chlorid rtuťnatý aplikace a dávkování otrava terapeutické užití MeSH
- diabetes mellitus 1. typu MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- ekzém farmakoterapie MeSH
- hypertenze chemicky indukované MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nefrotický syndrom chemicky indukované MeSH
- otrava rtutí etiologie MeSH
- psychotické poruchy etiologie MeSH
- tremor chemicky indukované MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- kazuistiky MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- amoniak MeSH
- chlorid rtuťnatý MeSH
- mercuric chloride, ammoniated MeSH Prohlížeč
The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of DMPS (sodium-2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonate) (Dimaval) administration for mobilizing mercury from the body in occupationally exposed people and experimental animals. Two doses of DMPS were administered at a 24-h interval to: (a) groups of people occupationally exposed to merkury--workers of the chloralkali industry (n = 43), and dentists (n = 12), (b) non-exposed individuals (n = 20), and (c) rats chronically exposed to mercury vapour at the concentration of 0.8 mg/m3 Hg degree (6 h/day, 5 days/week) for 15 weeks. In an out-patient mobilizing test, the urinary excretion of mercury 48 h after the administration of the first dose reached 1513 micrograms in the group of industrial workers, 132.6 micrograms in dentists, and 3.78 micrograms in controls. In rats, two consecutive doses of DMPS decreased kidney content of mercury by about 30% and 50% after oral and intraperitoneal administration, respectively. Kidney mercury burden was calculated on the basis of the data from animal and human studies of the mobilization of mercury via urine after DMPS treatment: 61, 2800 and 28,000 ng/g in controls, dentists and workers, respectively. It was estimated that two doses of DMPS mobilized 17-20% (after oral administration) and 25-30% (after intramuscular administration) of kidney mercury burden, both in the control and exposed subjects.
- MeSH
- analýza rozptylu MeSH
- chelátory terapeutické užití MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoci z povolání farmakoterapie metabolismus MeSH
- obsah radioaktivních látek v organizmu MeSH
- otrava rtutí farmakoterapie metabolismus MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- studie případů a kontrol MeSH
- unithiol terapeutické užití MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chelátory MeSH
- unithiol MeSH
Knowledge of normal levels of concentrations of trace elements (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cu, Zn, and Se) in the population serves, among others, in design of regulations concerning health protection, determination of exposure limits and prevention of diseases caused by deficiency of trace elements. Concentrations of the named elements in whole blood of the Czech population were determined by means of atomic absorption spectrometry. The blood was collected during 1996-1998 from 1,216 blood donors (896 males and 320 females, average age 33 years) and 758 children (397 boys and 361 girls, average age 9.9 years). Mineralisation in a microwave digestion system was used in sample preparation. The accuracy of results was checked by means of the Control material Seronorm Whole Blood 404107 and Seronorm Serum 704121, Nycomed. Values of concentrations of the trace elements in blood found for adult (medians) were 0.7 microgram Cd.l-1, 800 micrograms Cu.l-1, 0.78 microgram Hg.l-1, 41 micrograms Pb.l-1, 76 micrograms Se.l-1, and 5,800 micrograms Zn.l-1, respectively. Statistically significant differences between men and women have been found in the concentrations of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn. In the juvenile population following medians of concentrations have been found: 0.15 microgram Cd.l-1, 1,047 micrograms Cu.l-1, 0.46 microgram Hg.l-1, 34 micrograms Pb.l-1, 69 micrograms Se.l-1, and 8,180 micrograms Zn.l-1. Statistically significant differences between boys and girls were found only in Pb and Zn concentrations. Concentrations of the studied elements correspond to the published values concerning population not exposed professionally.
- MeSH
- dárci krve MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- fyziologie výživy MeSH
- kadmium krev nedostatek MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- měď krev nedostatek otrava MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
- olovo krev MeSH
- otrava kadmiem krev MeSH
- otrava olovem krev MeSH
- otrava rtutí krev MeSH
- referenční hodnoty MeSH
- rtuť krev MeSH
- selen krev nedostatek otrava MeSH
- spektrofotometrie atomová MeSH
- zdravotnické přehledy MeSH
- zinek krev nedostatek otrava MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Názvy látek
- kadmium MeSH
- měď MeSH
- olovo MeSH
- rtuť MeSH
- selen MeSH
- zinek MeSH
The human organism is exposed to mercury from the environment and working environment. In the diet the main source of mercury are marine fish. Amalgam fillings participate in the mercury load of the organism as was proved by investigations of the mercury content of the brain, kidneys and lenses. However, it was not confirmed that the mercury load from amalgam fillings caused intoxication.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- otrava rtutí etiologie MeSH
- zubní amalgam škodlivé účinky MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- zubní amalgam MeSH
Rats were intoxicated with mercuric chloride (1 mg/kg b.w.) daily, for 12 weeks. An increase of total collagen and elastin content was found in the skin, the lungs, the liver, the kidneys and the heart muscle. The increase resulted from the elevated level of soluble collagen. These changes were accompanied by elevated hydroxyproline level in serum and urine. It is concluded that chronic intoxication with mercury leads to disturbed composition of the connective tissue matrix.
- MeSH
- chlorid rtuťnatý toxicita MeSH
- chronická nemoc MeSH
- elastin metabolismus MeSH
- kolagen metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- otrava rtutí metabolismus MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chlorid rtuťnatý MeSH
- elastin MeSH
- kolagen MeSH
Rats were intoxicated with mercuric chloride (1mg/kg b.w.) daily, for 12 weeks. A decrease in total glycosaminoglycan content was shown in the skin, the lungs, the liver and the heart muscle. These changes were accompanied by a slight alteration of the glycosaminoglycan pattern, a decrease in hyaluronic acid in the skin, the lungs and the heart muscle and an enhancement of heparan sulphate level in the kidneys. In serum of mercury-intoxicated rats, an increase in total glycosaminoglycan levels was shown. This enhancement was caused by elevation of almost all fractions. Urine output of glycosaminoglycans was higher in mercury-treated animals as compared to the controls.
- MeSH
- chlorid rtuťnatý krev toxicita moč MeSH
- chronická nemoc MeSH
- glykosaminoglykany analýza metabolismus MeSH
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- otrava rtutí metabolismus MeSH
- potkani Wistar MeSH
- tkáňová distribuce MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chlorid rtuťnatý MeSH
- glykosaminoglykany MeSH
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- otrava rtutí epidemiologie MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- rtuť moč MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Československo MeSH
- Názvy látek
- rtuť MeSH
