Another umbrella murder? – A rare case of Minamata disease

Abstract

We report a rare case of fatal intoxication in a 40-year-old man caused by injection of a fluid containing organic mercury, allegedly in an attack with a syringe fixed to the tip of an umbrella. The man suffered from severe neurological symptoms and progressive multiorgan failure and died 10 months later in refractory status epilepticus. Autopsy revealed severe brain atrophy and non-specific kidney damage. Neuropathological examination showed neuronal loss especially in the occipital lobe, distinct granule cell necrosis in the cerebellum and Wallerian degeneration in the brainstem. Postmortem toxicological analysis revealed extremely increased levels of mercury in liver and kidney tissue as well as methylmercury levels in peripheral blood.

Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Mediating Methylmercury Neurotoxicity and Neuroinflammation

“…Visual disturba might be correlated with MeHg binding to outer segments of photoreceptor cells [54 garding the noxious effect on cerebellum, the most susceptible described region to M toxicity, loss of cerebellar glutamatergic granule cells is potentially associated with at locomotor impairment and occasionally tonic seizures. A recent case report study scribed several glial reactivity and neuronal loss the occipital lobe and cerebellum postmortem toxicological analysis of a 40-year-old man who suffered a fatal intoxic caused by injection of a fluid containing organic mercury [55].…”

Forensic approach towards criminal use of mercury in domestic violence

“…Organic mercury leads to high damage to Central Nervous System while salts of inorganic mercury chiefly damage the digestive system lining and kidney with symptoms of tremors, gingivitis, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhoea [29][30] as a result of exposure. Mercury finds its use in many industrial processes as a component of batteries, thermometers, and Compact Fluorescent Lamps apart from its wide usage in medical therapeutic applications, thus exposure to this needs thoughtfulness 15,16 . There exist many international laws and guidelines to prevent the misuse, overuse, or restriction of mercurycontaining products 31 , however, mercury in various forms is still easily accessible.…”