Argyria—tissue deposition of silver as selenide

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Abstract
Generalized argyria was precipitated in a patient by treating gingival erosions with a solution of silver nitrate for several months. High silver concentrations were measured in skin biopsies. Treatment with penicillamine did not increase the urinary silver excretion, indicating that silver is deposited in tissues in a chemically stable and apparently inert form. Electron microscopy showed that in the kidney, silver was deposited mainly in the basal membranes as electron-dense particles. These particles were studied by using X-ray emission spectrometry and electron diffraction. The particles consisted of Ag2Se in the low temperature orthorhombic alfaform. The lattice parameters are: a = 0.433 nm, b = 0.693 nm and c = 0.784 nm. This selenide complex seems to be remarkably non-toxic, since the renal function of the patient was unaffected and only negligible reactive changes were observed in kidney biopsies.