Question

Patient presented with proximal tubule proteinuria. Which metal is likely to be associated with it?

• A. Cadmium
• B. Mercury
• C. Gold
• D. Lead

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Reframe the clue - the question gives a tubular pattern of protein loss, meaning small proteins that should be reclaimed by the proximal nephron are appearing in urine. This is a marker of proximal tubular cell injury, not glomerular leak.
Step 2: Match the toxin to the lesion. Among heavy metals, $Cd$ (cadmium) has a well-documented affinity for accumulating in the renal cortex and crippling proximal tubular reabsorption, producing low-molecular-weight proteinuria as one of the earliest signs.
Step 3: Eliminate by pattern. Mercury and gold drive immune-complex membranous glomerulonephropathy (heavy, glomerular proteinuria); lead produces a chronic interstitial picture with hyperuricaemia. None of these gives the selective proximal tubular signature.
Step 4: Therefore the single best answer is cadmium.
\[\boxed{\text{Cadmium}}\]