[Acute hepatitis after cutaneous application of an artisanal topical ointment with mercury].

There is a risk of severe neurological disease, nephropathy and cutaneous complications during mercury poisoning. We report a case of acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, associated with histologically confirmed acute cytolytic hepatitis without liver failure, after application of a topical home-made ointment containing mercury. The patient was previously sensitized with mercurothiolate. A high level of mercury was found in the blood (68 microg/L, normal < 5 microg/L). Clinical and biological features disappeared after the ointment was discontinued. Biological acute hepatitis was probably from type IV sensitization, like that seen in acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, with no evidence of direct mercury poisoning and after lithiasis, viral, immune and drug side effects were excluded. Liver injury during acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis is uncommon and usually mild, but should be searched for.