A systematic review of mercury ototoxicity.
Mercury is neurotoxic, and numerous studies have confirmed its ototoxic effect. However, the diagnosis and follow-up of mercury exposure require understanding the pathophysiology of the chemical substance. Based on a systematic literature review, this study aimed to demonstrate whether mercury is ototoxic and to analyze its mechanism of action on the peripheral and central auditory system, in order to contribute to the diagnosis and follow-up of exposure. This was a systematic review of studies published on the effects of mercury exposure on the auditory system. The full text of the studies and their methodological quality were analyzed. The review identified 108 studies published on the theme, of which 28 met the inclusion criteria. All the articles in the analysis showed that mercury exposure is ototoxic and produces peripheral and/or central damage. Acute and long-term exposure produces irreversible damage to the central auditory system. Biomarkers were unable to predict the relationship between degree of mercury poisoning and degree of lesion in the auditory system.
Instituto de Estudos em Saúde Coletiva, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. choshino@uol.com.br
Ana Cristina Hiromi
AC
Hoshino
Heloisa Pacheco
HP
Ferreira
Olaf
O
Malm
Renata Mamede
RM
Carvallo
Volney Magalhães
VM
Câmara
D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury / Q000633:toxicity*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D008628:Mercury