Copper toxicity, also known as copper poisoning or copperiedus, is the pathological result of excess elemental copper in the body. It may be acute, resulting in acute copper toxicosis, or a more chronic form, typified by Wilson disease.
Clinical presentation
Acute copper toxicosis
Acute toxicity results in a systemic illness with potentially severe sequelae:
- gastrointestinal haemorrhage
- acute kidney injury
- arrhythmias, hypotension
- haemolytic anaemia
- acute hepatitis, hepatic failure
- CNS
- dizziness, headache, fits, stupor, coma
- death
Chronic copper toxicosis
Chronic toxicity results primarily in hepato- and neurotoxicity as seen in Wilson disease.
Pathology
Aetiology
Acute copper toxicosis
The acute form of copper poisoning is rare and usually seen in the suicidal patients who deliberately ingest large quantities of copper-containing chemicals (e.g. copper sulfate) or when people accidentally consume copper-contaminated food and drink.
Chronic copper toxicosis
The results of chronic copper excess may be seen in:
- Wilson disease
- idiopathic copper toxicosis (ICT)
- Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC)
- chronic accidental ingestion of copper-contaminated food and drink: rare
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