title: Mercury Vapour Long-Lasting Exposure: Lymphocyte Muscarinic Receptors as Neurochemical Markers of Accidental Intoxication.
abstract: Introduction.Chronic poisoning may result in home setting after mercury (Hg) vapours inhalation from damaged devices. We report a chronic, nonoccupational Hg poisoning due to 10-year indoor exposure to mercury spillage.Case Report.A 72-year-old man with polyneuropathy of suspected toxic origin. At hospitalization, toxicological clinical evaluations confirmed the altered neurological picture documented across the last decade. Periodic blood and urine Hg levels (BHg, UHg) monitoring were performed from admission (t0), until 1 year later (t2), paralleled by blood neurochemical markers assessment, that is, lymphocytes muscarinic receptors (l-MRs). Att0: BHg and UHg were 27 and 1.4 microg/L, respectively (normal values: BHg 1-4.5; UHg 0.1-4.5), associated with l-MRs increase, 185.82 femtomoL/million lymphocytes (normal range: 8.0-16.0). Att1(two days after DMSA-mobilization test), BHg weak reduction, paralleled by UHg 3.7-fold increase, was measured together with further l-MRs enhancement (205.43 femtomoL/million lymphocytes). Att2(eight months after two cycles of DMSA chelating therapy ending), gradual improving of clinical manifestations was accompanied by progressive decrease of BHg and UHg (4.0 and 2.8 microg/L, resp.) and peripheral l-MRs neurochemical marker (24.89 femtomoL/million lymphocytes).Conclusion.l-MRs modulatory effect supports their use as peripheral neurochemical marker in Hg poisoning diagnosis and chelation therapy monitoring.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology and Poison Control Centre and National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, IRCCS Maugeri Foundation, Medical Institute of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roda
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology and Poison Control Centre and National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, IRCCS Maugeri Foundation, Medical Institute of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7262-7924
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giampreti
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology and Poison Control Centre and National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, IRCCS Maugeri Foundation, Medical Institute of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vecchio
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, Section of Public Health and Human Sciences, University of Brescia and Occupational Medicine, Hygiene, Toxicology and Prevention Unit, Civil Hospital of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Apostoli
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical & Experimental Toxicology and Poison Control Centre and National Toxicology Information Centre, Toxicology Unit, IRCCS Maugeri Foundation, Medical Institute of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2039-7944
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coccini