Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Gołoś A, Lutyńska A. Thiomersal-containing vaccines - a review of the current state of knowledge. Przegl Epidemiol. 2015;69(1):59-64, 157-61.

Abstract. Thiomersal is an organomercury compound known for its antiseptic and antifungal properties and used as an antibacterial agent in pharmaceutical products, including vaccines and other injectable biological products. In recent years, concerns about the possible link between immunization with thiomersal-containing vaccines and autism development have grown. Many case-control and cohort studies have been conducted on a number of populations, and none of them have confirmed the hypothetical relation between thiomersal and increased risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) development. It is also confirmed by the fact, that since 1999, number of thiomersal-containing vaccines used worldwide is decreasing year by year, while the prevalence of ASDs cases is rising. There are no contraindications to the use of vaccines with thiomersal in infants, children and non-pregnant women. The risk of serious complications associated with the development of diseases in unvaccinated individuals far outweighs the potential risk of adverse consequences associated with immunization with thiomersal-containing vaccines.

Cox NH, Forsyth A. Thiomersal allergy and vaccination reactions. Contact Dermatitis. 1988 Apr;18(4):229-33. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1988.tb02809.x.

Abstract. Thiomersal is the preservative in all toxoid vaccines routinely administered to children in the UK, but exposure from other sources is uncommon. Delayed hypersensitivity to thiomersal was demonstrated in 1% of individuals attending the Contact Dermatitis Investigation Unit, and 50 of these patients with positive patch tests to thiomersal were studied. Cross-reaction with other mercurials occurred in 17 of 29 patients tested (59%). 31 of the patients replied to a questionnaire regarding vaccination reactions, and were compared with case-controls matched for age, sex, and site of dermatitis. 4 patients in each group reported reactions to vaccines which contained thiomersal, suggesting that thiomersal hypersensitivity was not associated with an increased risk of vaccination reactions. However, individual cases of severe reactions to thiomersal demonstrate a need for vaccines with an alternative preservative.

Kaur K, Xiong J, Sawant N, Agarwal S, Hickey JM, Holland DA, Mukhopadhyay TK, Brady JR, Dalvie NC, Tracey MK, Love KR, Love JC, Weis DD, Joshi SB, Volkin DB. Mechanism of Thimerosal-Induced Structural Destabilization of a Recombinant Rotavirus P[4] Protein Antigen Formulated as a Multi-Dose Vaccine. J Pharm Sci. 2021 Mar;110(3):1054-1066. doi: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.11.033. 

Abstract. In this work, the mechanism(s) of thimerosal-P[4] protein interactions, along with subsequent effects on the P[4] protein's structural integrity, are determined.

de Magalhães Silva M, de Araújo Dantas MD, da Silva Filho RC, Dos Santos Sales MV, de Almeida Xavier J, Leite ACR, Goulart MOF, Grillo LAM, de Barros WA, de Fátima Â, Figueiredo IM, Santos JCC. Toxicity of thimerosal in biological systems: Conformational changes in human hemoglobin, decrease of oxygen binding capacity, increase of protein glycation and amyloid's formation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2020 Jul 1;154:661-671. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.03.156.

Abstract. Thimerosal (TH), an organomercurial compound, is used as a preservative in vaccines and cosmetics. Its interaction with human hemoglobin (Hb) was investigated under physiological conditions using biophysical and biological assays, aiming to evaluate hazardous effects.

Huang X, Li Y, Nie M, Yue M, Li Y, Lin Z, Pan H, Fang M, Wu T, Li S, Zhang J, Xia N, Zhao Q. Capsid destabilization and epitope alterations of human papillomavirus 18 in the presence of thimerosal. J Pharm Anal. 2021 Oct;11(5):617-627. doi: 10.1016/j.jpha.2020.08.007.

Abstract. This study aims to investigate the effects of thimerosal on the capsid stability and antigenicity of recombinant human papillomavirus (HPV) 18 virus-like particles (VLPs). Dramatic destabilization of the recombinant viral capsid upon thimerosal treatment was observed. 

Mamber SW, Hatch T, Miller CS, Murray JV, Strout C, McMichael J. Low-dose Oral Thimerosal for the Treatment of Oral Herpes: Clinical Trial Results and Improved Outcome After Post-hoc Analysis. J Evid Based Integr Med. 2022 Jan-Dec;27:2515690X221078004. doi: 10.1177/2515690X221078004.

Abstract. Thimerosal (TML) is an organomercury antimicrobial. Low doses (1/250th of the amount in a typical vaccine dose) may promote an antiviral immune response. Low-dose TML (BTL-TML) was evaluated for safety and efficacy against herpes labialis in two FDA-approved, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.