Mercuric salt poisoning is primarily associated with which organ systems?

• A. GI and renal
• B. Dermal only
• C. Neuro only
• D. Cardiac

Answer: (A)

Inorganic mercuric salts primarily damage the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. When ingested, they act as corrosive irritants, causing vomiting, abdominal pain, ulceration, and bleeding in the GI mucosa. They are absorbed and preferentially accumulate in renal tubular cells, where they bind to sulfhydryl groups on enzymes, leading to proximal tubular injury and acute kidney injury. While mercury exposure can affect other organs at higher doses, the classic and most characteristic pattern of mercuric salt poisoning is GI tract injury together with nephrotoxicity. Dermal exposure may cause irritation, but systemic toxicity is not the defining feature, and neuro or cardiac toxicity is not the hallmark of inorganic mercuric salt poisoning.