International Journal of Advanced Biomedicine
Journal license

Journal

International Journal of Advanced Biomedicine


Volume
& Issue

Volume 4, Issue 1


Published
on

January 1, 2020


Pages

1-4


DOI

Article

Mercury Injection by an Adult Female

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Authors

Boitumelo V Kgarebe* Affiliation:
Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa
, Lerato e. Mochaki Affiliation:
Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa
, Robin C. Ballantine Affiliation:
Wilgeheuvel Hospital, Roodepoort, Gauteng, South Africa
, Poobalan Poongavanum Affiliation:
Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa
and Angela T. Mawela Affiliation:
Analytical Services, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa


Abstract

A case of subcutaneous injection of elemental mercury (Hg) by an adult white female in Gauteng, South Africa is described. The patient had been injecting Hg directly into her breast tissue. The exact quantity of injected Hg and the time period of exposure was unknown. First line of therapy was the surgical removal of the Hg droplets from the breast tissue followed by chelation therapy with 400mg of D-penicillamine given six-hourly over a period of five days. Whole blood samples of the patient were received at the Analytical Services Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) to monitor blood mercury (Bl-Hg) levels. Initial results showed an exponential decrease in Bl-Hg levels after commencement of treatment. By week 18, Hg levels had decreased to 24 µg/L. Further testing needed to be done, however the patient did not present for any future appointments.


Keywords

Elemental mercury poisoning, subcutaneous injection, chelation therapy


Citation

Kgarebe, B. V., Mochaki, L. E., Ballantine, R. C., Poongavanum, P., & Mawela, A. T. (2020). Mercury injection by an adult female. International Journal of Advanced Biomedicine, 4(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.18576/ab/040101

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