Bedřich Smetana’s hearing loss could be caused by chronic mercury intoxication

Česká verzia

Authors: Ctibor Povýšil ¹; Martin Kaňa ²; Jan Kučera ³
Published in the journal: Čas. Lék. čes. 2024; 163: 245-249
Category: History of Medicine

Summary

Bedřich Smetana’s illness associated with complete hearing loss has been linked to various diseases in a long-running discussion. Senile dementia, atherosclerosis, progressive paralysis in lues are mentioned, while the ototoxicity of mercury is neglected. Its high concentration in the composer's skeletal remains was demonstrated by the authors of this article immunohistochemically and especially by the neutron activation analysis (NAA) method 23 years ago. The significance of this find has been neglected in connection with the dominant effort to prove the composer's venereal disease, the diagnosis of which, however, has not yet been unequivocally verified. Therefore, the existing results of the osteological examination were revised and the available sample was supplemented with an immunohistochemical examination using an antibody against treponemes and a silvering method with a negative result.

On the other hand, an expert literature search focused on mercury ototoxicity confirmed our assumption that chronic intoxication with this metal, which was probably part of ointments applied not only in childhood but also later in adulthood, could contribute to hearing loss. This metal, until recently used in dermatology as a component of ointments, is resorbed and, as has recently been proven, causes various neuropsychic disorders, including disorders and even hearing loss. With this communication, we would like to initiate a new discussion on all aspects of the composer’s illness.

Keywords:

Bedřich Smetana, hearing loss, chronic mercury intoxication, ototoxicity of mercury cream

Zdroje

Povýšil C. Mercury toxicity could explain Bedřich Smetana’s earing loss / Toxicita rtuti může vysvětlit ztrátu sluchu u Bedřicha Smetany. Letter to Editor / Dopis editorovi. Locomotor system / Pohybové ústrojí 2023; 30: 175–178.
Kučera J, Soukal V. Stanovení rtuti. In: Vlček E a kol. Bedřich Smetana – fyzická osobnost a hluchota. Vesmír, Praha, 2001: 84–85.
Povýšil C. Histologické vyšetření kostní tkáně. In: Vlček E a kol. Bedřich Smetana – fyzická osobnost a hluchota. Vesmír, Praha, 2001: 82–84.
Povýšil C. Patologické mikroskopické nálezy v kosterních pozůstatcích významných osobností české historie. Grada, Praha, 2024: 93–102.
Vlček E a kol. Bedřich Smetana – fyzická osobnost a hluchota. Vesmír, Praha, 2001: 3–95.
Hlava J. Zpráva o pitvě Mistra Bedřicha Smetany. Čas Lék Čes 1884; 21: 323–324.
Ramba J. Osudná hra Bedřicha Smetany. Togga, Praha, 2023.
Höschl C. Na co zemřel Bedřich Smetana? Reflex 2007; 6: 70–73.
Theel ES, Katz SS, Pillay A. Molecular and direct detection tests for Treponema pallidum. Review of the literature. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71: S4–S12.
Lesný I. Co bylo příčinou nemoci Bedřicha Smetany. Zpráva o nemocech slavných. Víkend, Praha, 1991.
Hizli D, Hizli P, Kaya S et al. Histological ear findings of syfilis: a temporal bone study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 273: 2443–2449.
Park I U, Tran A, Pereira L et al. Sensitivity and specificity of Treponema-specific tests for the diagnosis of syphilis. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71: S13–S19.
Satyaputra F, Hendry S, Braddick M et al. The laboratory diagnosis of syphilis. J Clin Microbiol 2021; 59: e0010021.
Ghanem KG. Review: Neurosyphilis: a historical perspective and review. CNS Neurosci Ther 2010; 16: e157–e168.
Luo Y, Xie Y, Xiao Y. Laboratory diagnostic tools for syphilis: current status and future prospects. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 10: 574806.
Ruiz SJ, Procop GW, Tomsich RJ. Cross-reactivity of anti-treponema immunohistochemistry with non-treponema spirochetes: a simple call for caution. Letter to the editor. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2016; 140: 1021–1022.
Kristoferitsch W. Lyme borreliosis in Europe. Neurologic disorders. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1989; 15: 767–774.
Kullberg BJ, Vrijmoeth HD, van de Schoor F et al. Lyme borreliosis: diagnosis and management. BMJ 2020; 26: 369m1041.
Vlček E. Syfilis v Čechách. Paleopatologické doklady výskytu v druhé polovině 2. tisíciletí. Vesmír 1996; 75: 78–80.
Clark RA, Krueger CI. Aluminom: Its limited application as reagent for the detection of aluminum species. J Histochem Cytochem 1983; 33: 729–733.
Greenberg RR, Bode P, De Nadai Fernandes EA. Neutron activation analysis: a primary method of measurement. Spectrochim Acta 2011; 66: 193–241.
Iyengar GV. Tandon I. Minor and trace elements in human bones and teeth. NAHRES-39. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, 1999. Dostupné na: https://inis.iaea.org/search/citationdownload.aspx
Parfitt AM. Misconception (2): turnover is always higher in cancellous than in cortical bone. Bone 2002; 30: 807–809.
Touraine S, Parlier-Cuou C, Bousson V et al. Tibial hyperostosis: a diagnostic approach. Eur J Radiol 2013; 82: 2286–2295.
Fernandes Azevedo B, Barros Furieri L, Peçanha FM et al. Toxic effects of mercury on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. J Biomed Biotech 2012; 2012: 949048.
Bernhoft RA. Mercury toxicity and treatment: a review of the literature. J Environ Pub Health 2012; 2012: 460508.
Chan TY. Inorganic mercury poisoning associated with skin-lightening cosmetic products. Clin Toxicol 2011; 49: 886–891.
Ramli FF. Clinical management of chronic mercury intoxication secondary to skin lightening products: a proposed algorithm. Bosn J Basic Med Sci 2021; 21: 261–269.
Harada M. Minamata disease: methylmercury poisoning in Japan caused by environmental pollution. Crit Rev Toxicol 1995; 25: 1–24.
Paduraru E, Iacob D, Rarinca V et al. Comprehensive review regarding mercury poisoning and its complex involvement in Alzheimer’s disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23: 1992–2014.
Hoshino ACH, Pacheco Ferreira H, Malm O et al. Systematic review of mercury ototoxicity. Cad Saude Publica 2012; 28: 1239–1248.
Roth JA, Salvi R. Ototoxicity of divalent metal. Neurotox Res 2016; 30: 268–282.
Bakir F, Damluji SF, Amin-Zaki I et al. Methylmercury poisoning in Iraq. Science 1973; 181: 230–241.
Jackson AC. Chronic neurological disease due to methylmercury poisoning. Can J Neurol Sci 2018; 45: 620–623.
Bjorklund G. Tinkov AA, Dadar M et al. Insights the potential role of mercury in Alzheimer´s disease. J Mol Sci 2019; 67: 511–533.
Hunter D, Russell D. Focal cerebral and cerebellar atrophy in a human subject due to organic mercury compounds. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiat 1954; 17: 235–241.
Ekino S, Sato K, Kurashige M et al. Pathology of human organic mercury poisoning: Lessons from an autopsy. J Neurol Sci 2023; 455: 122802.
Pelclová D, Lukáš E, Urban P et al. Mercury intoxication from skin ointment containing mercuric ammonium chloride. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2002; 75: S54–S59.

Štítky

Addictology Allergology and clinical immunology Angiology Audiology Clinical biochemistry Dermatology & STDs Paediatric gastroenterology Paediatric surgery Paediatric cardiology Paediatric neurology Paediatric ENT Paediatric psychiatry Paediatric rheumatology Diabetology Pharmacy Vascular surgery Pain management Dental Hygienist

Článek Modern approaches in multidisciplinary treatment of cleft lip and palate

Článek Searching for ways to survive cardiac arrest and extracorporeal oxygen therapy – ECPR

Článek Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in the hospital

Článek Diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 outside the hospital

Článek Ortner’s syndrome in interdisciplinary collaboration

Článek Injury of the popliteal artery by shrapnel of a Ukrainian girl treated at the University Hospital Ostrava - case report of arterial lesion without acute limb ischemia

Článek 25th Tobacco and Health Conference

Článek Ancient sanctuary of Asclepius, god of medicine, on the island of Paros (Greece)

Článek Bert Sakmann (1942–)

Článek Vzpomínka na prof. MUDr. Miloše Grima, DrSc.

Článek Zemřel prof. MUDr. Antonín Kazda, DrSc., nestor české klinické biochemie

Článek Ceny ČLS JEP