Changes in blood coagulation system were studied in humans that were occupationally exposed to mercuric vapors. The following parameters were analyzed: mercury concentration in plasma, thrombin generation, thrombin-antithrombin complexes, soluble fibrin monomers, factor XIII, protein C, platelet factor 4, and b-thromboglobulin. There was statistically significant increase in the activity of factor XIII, concentration of platelet factor 4 and thrombin generation in plasma of workers exposed to mercuric vapors as compared with unexposed controls. There was also an increase in thrombinantithrombin complexes and b-thromboglobulin concentration accompanied by a decrease in protein C activity in the workers exposed to mercury. However, the last differences were not statistically significant. The data suggest that in humans exposed to mercuric vapors the hemostatic balance is shifted on the hypercoagulative side. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 15:21À29,

The aim of this work was to assess the prevalence of a genetic predisposition to disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) among acutely poisoned patients. Activated protein C resistence (APCR) is a genetically determined cause of thrombophilia and DIC development. One hundred seventy-six subjects were divided into three groups: one consisted of 83 acutely poisoned patients with DIC; a second consisted of 57 acutely poisoned patients without DIC; the third group consisted of 91 healthy controls. Abnormal results of APCR testing were found in 24.1% of the poisoned DIC group, 5.3% of the poisoned nonDIC group, and 3.3% of the control group. Genetic tests were performed in 37 selected patients. Factor V Leiden mutation (G/A genotype) was determined to be present in people whose R index value was below 1.9. These results raise the possibility that outcomes of acute poisonings may be influenced by genetic predisposition.