Thimerosal: a hidden allergen in ophthalmology

Tosti, Antonella; Tosti, Giovanni

doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.1988.tb02831.x

Cited by 58 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Natural bacterial exposures to the organomercurials are more difficult to estimate. Methylmercury was long used as a seed grain fungicide and phenylmercury and merthiolate were previously used in contact lens cleaning solutions [70, 71] and vaginal douches [72] and the latter was also used for minor skin wounds and as a surgical scrub [73] but there are no data on the resulting ambient concentrations. The use of thimerosal (the same as MT) in vaccines was questioned in 2001 [74] and it has gradually been removed from pediatric vaccines administered in the United States, but is still included in pediatric vaccines administered in developing countries and in adult vaccines worldwide [75].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic and inorganic mercurials have distinct effects on cellular thiols, metal homeostasis, and Fe-binding proteins in Escherichia coli

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The protean chemical properties of the toxic metal mercury (Hg) have made it attractive in diverse applications since antiquity. However, growing public concern has led to an international agreement to decrease its impact on health and the environment. During a recent proteomics study of acute Hg exposure in E. coli, we also examined the effects of inorganic and organic Hg compounds on thiol- and metal- homeostases. On brief exposure, lower concentrations of divalent inorganic mercury Hg(II) blocked bulk cellular thiols and protein-associated thiols more completely than higher concentrations of monovalent organomercurials, phenylmercuric acetate (PMA) and merthiolate (MT). Cells bound Hg(II) and PMA in excess of their available thiol ligands; X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicated nitrogens as likely additional ligands. The mercurials released protein bound iron (Fe) more effectively than common organic oxidants and all disturbed the Na+/K+ electrolyte balance, but none provoked efflux of six essential transition metals including Fe. PMA and MT made stable cysteine monothiol adducts in many Fe-binding proteins, but stable Hg(II) adducts were only seen in CysXxx(n)Cys peptides. We conclude that on acute exposure: (a) the distinct effects of mercurials on thiol- and Fe-homeostases reflected their different uptake and valences; (b) their similar effects on essential metal- and electrolyte-homeostases reflected the energy-dependence of these processes; and (c) peptide phenylmercury-adducts were more stable or detectable in mass spectrometry than Hg(II)-adducts. These first in vivo observations in a well-defined model organism reveal differences upon acute exposure to inorganic and organic mercurials that may underlie their distinct toxicology.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organic and inorganic mercurials have distinct effects on cellular thiols, metal homeostasis, and Fe-binding proteins in Escherichia coli

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Contact dermatitis to thimerosal is, however, exceedingly rare and most positive patch-test reactions to this preservative are clinically insignificant, except in ophthalmic patients. Tosti and Tosti [99] reported 36 patients with thimerosal-induced follicular allergic contact conjunctivitis, 18 of whom had been using thimerosal-containing eye drops, whereas 13 used soft contact lenses and became sensitized to their own thimerosal-containing lens solution. Patch tests were performed with the ICDRG (International Contact Dermatitis Research Group) standard series (Hermal-Trolab), and the eye drops or the soft contact lens solutions used by the patients and their single constituents, whenever available.…”

Section: Preservativesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Ophthalmic Products

Ventura

Viola

Gaeta

et al. 2006

CPD

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Adverse reactions after administration of ophthalmic products have frequently been observed. These reactions can be provoked by both active principles and excipients. Different pathogenic mechanisms have been suggested for such reactions, including immunologic ones. Basophils and mast cells participate in IgE-mediated reactions through the release of mediators like histamine and tryptase, whereas a T-cell-mediated pathogenic mechanism is involved in most delayed reactions, particularly conjunctival ones and eyelid dermatitis. Prick tests and immediate-reading intradermal tests are carried out to diagnose immediate hypersensitivity reactions, while patch tests are usually performed to evaluate delayed reactions. Other diagnostic tests, such as serum-specific IgE assays in immediate reactions, as well as delayed-reading intradermal tests and/or lymphocyte transformation tests in delayed ones, are rarely performed. In this review, particular attention is addressed to the clinical and practical aspects of both cell-mediated and IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to ophthalmic products.

show abstract

“…The reported cases were caused or triggered by thimerosal in ophthalmic preparations and cleansing solutions for contact lenses (de Groot et al 1990, Herbst and Maibach 1991, Ortiz et al 1991, Tosti and Tosti 1988, Whittington 1985 or other preparations (e.g. Chastagner et al 1988, Landa et al 1990.…”

Section: Effects In Manmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thimerosal [MAK Value Documentation, 2001]

2012

The MAK‐Collection for Occupational Health and Safety

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Thimerosal: a hidden allergen in ophthalmology

Cited by 58 publications

References 13 publications

Organic and inorganic mercurials have distinct effects on cellular thiols, metal homeostasis, and Fe-binding proteins in Escherichia coli

Organic and inorganic mercurials have distinct effects on cellular thiols, metal homeostasis, and Fe-binding proteins in Escherichia coli

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Ophthalmic Products

Thimerosal [MAK Value Documentation, 2001]

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About