Mushroom Poisoning: Identification, Diagnosis, and Treatment

1987 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 291-298
Author(s):  
Alan H. Hall ◽  
David G. Spoerke ◽  
Barry H. Rumack
Keyword(s):  
Toxic Substance ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mushroom Poisoning ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
National Data ◽  
Collection System ◽  
Wild Mushrooms ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Toxic Species ◽  
Wide Range

Mushroom poisoning can cause a wide range of symptoms including gastroenteritis, euphoria or hallucinations, cholinergic or anticholinergic syndromes, disulfiram-like reactions (flushing, anxiety, palpitations, possible hypotension) when the mushrooms are ingested with ethanol, fulminant hepatic failure, seizures, hemolysis, and methemoglobinemia. More than 5,000 species of wild mushrooms grow in the United States. It is not known what percentage of these mushroom species are potentially toxic. Some species are "toxic" to some individuals but not to others. Species identification can often be difficult, and the percentage of toxic species within genera varies considerably. More than 75% of Amanita species may contain some toxic substance, whereas less than 10% of Morchella species are potentially harmful. The frequency of occurrence of toxic species in a locale also changes the percentage encountered during any collecting foray. Given the natural curiosity and hand-to-mouth behavior of young children, the desire of many to partake of "natural" foodstuffs, and the interest of some in ingesting "magic mushrooms" for their mind-altering properties, clinicians may easily be faced with the need to treat mush-room-poisoned patients. In 1984, 4,742 of 5,806 total cases of mushroom exposure reported to the American Assiciation of Poison Control Centers National Data Collection System were in children less than 6 years of age.

Massive Levothyroxine Overdose: High Anxiety—Low Toxicity

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 666-669
Author(s):  
RICHARD L. GORMAN ◽  
JAMES M. CHAMBERLAIN ◽  
S. RUTHERFOORD ROSE ◽  
GARY M. ODERDA
Keyword(s):  
American Association ◽  
The United States ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
Collection System ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
The Past ◽  
Acute Ingestion ◽  
Wide Availability ◽  
Low Toxicity

The acute toxicity of levothyroxine ingestion is influenced by the dose ingested, the rate of conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3), and the level of medical intervention. Approximately 21 million prescriptions for thyroid products were dispensed in the United States in 1986, accounting for 1.4% of all prescriptions. This wide availability leads to frequent acute overdoses. In 1986, the American Association of Poison Control Centers Data Collection System documented 2,231 acute toxic exposures to thyroid preparations.1 Several articles have appeared in the past few years concerning the relative toxicity and treatment of a patient with an acute ingestion of levothyroxine preparations.2-7

Edible mushroom-related poisoning

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 718-724 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Gawlikowski ◽  
M Romek ◽  
L Satora
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Edible Mushroom ◽  
Mushroom Poisoning ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Control Center ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
And Storage

Background: The American Association of Poison Control Center (AAPCC) shows that in 2012 there were 0.3% of human exposures involving mushrooms. Only 17% of 6600 cases were then identified by the species. The present retrospective study was designed to identify the epidemiology of mushroom poisoning in adults admitted to Krakow’s Department of Clinical Toxicology (DCT) from 2002 to 2009. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively after examining the files of 457 adult patients with wild mushroom poisoning. Mycological analysis was made and the species of the poisoning-inducing mushroom was determined. Furthermore, the circumstances related to the mushroom gathering, transport, storage, preparation, and consumption have been analyzed. Results: The analysis revealed that in 400 (87.53%) out of 457 cases, the clinical symptoms were caused by ingestion of identified edible mushroom species. The main reason for edible mushroom poisoning is associated with their incorrect processing after harvest. The analysis of the circumstances of mushroom collection, transport, and storage shows that the largest percentage of poisoning was connected with long-term storage of mushroom dishes, collecting, and storing them in plastic bags, and long storage of mushrooms. Conclusion: Based on spore analysis of the gastric content, edible mushrooms were responsible for the great majority of mushroom poisoning cases admitted to the DCT. The toxicity of edible mushroom is associated with proceeding with them during collection, transport, and storage. The medical history should be supplemented by questions concerning these circumstances. The identification of the mushroom by a mycologist is highly desirable.

Systemic Plant Poisoning in Children

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-351
Author(s):  
Kenneth F. Lampe
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mushroom Poisoning ◽  
Poison Control ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Fatal Poisoning ◽  
Wilted Plant ◽  
Plant Poisoning ◽  
Poisoning In Children

There is probably no area in clinical toxicology more steeped in folklore, misunderstood, or mismanaged than plant and mushroom poisoning. Although there are thousands of species of plants capable of producing moderate to severe and possibly fatal poisoning, relatively few cases of serious intoxication occur in the United States and these are associated with a limited number of plants. The majdrity of the victims of plant poisoning are children under 6, but recently older age groups of children have become more vulnerable due to the increased popularity of camping, natural food cultism, and the search by some for naturally occurring hallucmnogens. Because of incomplete reporting and limited means for physicians to obtain plant identifications, it is very difficult to prepare meaningful statistics on serious or fatal poisonings by plants containing systemically active toxins. For the United States it may be estimated that approximately half of these cases involve mushrooms. The remaining are distributed among a variety of species with different pharmacological properties. One of the most perplexing problems facing those concerned with Poison Control Information Centers is the call from the panicky mother that her child has or may have swallowed a red berry growing on a bushy little plant with funny looking green leaves in the backyard. Equally frustrating is the parent who appears in the pediatrician's office with a wilted plant specimen announcing that this is growing all over the neighborhood, is it poisonous? Plant identification is becoming even more difficult with the increasing number of ornamentals and horticultural varieties introduced throughout the country.

scholarly journals Wild mushrooms poisoning: a public health challenge

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Troiano ◽  
A M Firmi ◽  
C Adorni ◽  
R Porro ◽  
E Aroldi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Mushroom Poisoning ◽  
Health Prevention ◽  
Wild Mushrooms ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Vast Number ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Public Health Challenge

Abstract Issue Mushrooms are considered as ingredient of gourmet cuisine across the globe and mushroom poisonings can occur because of misidentification of a poisonous species as edible. Of the vast number of mushroom species, approximately 100 are toxic(**). Description of the Problem Mushroom poisoning is a public health problem. People should be educated about this poison as often there are no guidelines about the treatment of mushroom toxicity. Despite treatment, the prognosis can be mortal. In the Department of Hygiene and Health Prevention (ATS Val Padana, Italy) expert mycologists offer their consultation free of charge to people who pick mushrooms and register, for each consultation, quantity and toxicity of collected mushrooms. Results In 2018-19, 279 consultations were offered: 124(44.44%) in 2018, 155 (55.56%) in 2019. 58.42% of mushrooms were considered not dangerous for human health, without any difference among the two considered years (p = 0.167). 233.7 kg mushrooms were considered edible (mean 2.71, SD 16.44), 92.95 kg were considered dangerous and destroyed (mean 1.39, SD 6.99). The most identified species were: Agrocybe aegerita (11.47%), Armillaria Mellea (29.75%), Boletus edulis (6.45%), Macrolepiota venenata** (1.43%, N = 4), Xerocomus badius (2.51%), Lyophillum loricatum (1.79%), Agaricus Xanthodermus** (3.23%, N = 9). Intoxications occurred among people who did not refer to our mycology unit. Conclusions Mushroom poisoning represents a major health risk and as it's often consequence of misidentification, a free of charge consultation offered by experts is fundamental to avoid intoxications or deaths. Key messages Mushroom poisoning presents a major health risk. A free of charge consultation offered by experts is fundamental to avoid intoxications or deaths.

scholarly journals Mushroom Poisoning-an overview

1970 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
BS Patowary
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Edible Mushroom ◽  
Mushroom Poisoning ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Wild Mushrooms ◽  
Cns Involvement ◽  
Fatal Poisoning ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Delayed Onset ◽  
Edible Species

There are many thousands of mushroom species in the world, some are edible and some are poisonous due to containing significant toxins. The edible mushroom is a common food item with tempting flavour, taste and nutritive value; nowadays quite often grown at home and cultured with commercial marketing. Mushroom poisoning usually results from ingestion of wild mushrooms due to misidentification of a toxic mushroom as an edible species bearing very close resemblance, deliberate seeking of psychotropic mushrooms and accidental childhood ingestions. Majority of fatal mushroom poisoning occurs due to ingestion of Amanita Phalloides - the 'death cap', due to its high content of Amatoxin - a potent cytotoxin. Fatal poisoning is usually associated with delayed onset of symptoms which are very severe, with hepatic, renal, hemolytic and CNS involvement. Aim of this article is for informational and preventive purpose. Key words: Mushroom poisoning; amanita phalloidis; amatoxin. DOI: 10.3126/jcmsn.v6i2.3619 Journal of college of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2010, Vol.6, No-2, 56-61

scholarly journals COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATION OF KNOWLEDGE OF WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS IN VARNA REGION WITH OTHER FOREIGN GEOGRAPHIC ZONES

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 4157-4163
Author(s):  
Tsonka Dimitrova ◽  
◽  
Petko Marinov ◽  
Galina Yaneva ◽  
Dobri Ivanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Population Level ◽  
Edible Mushroom ◽  
Comparative Investigation ◽  
Edible Mushrooms ◽  
Mushroom Poisoning ◽  
Wild Edible Mushrooms ◽  
Wild Mushrooms ◽  
Mushroom Species ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Wild Edible Mushroom

Purpose: The interest in evaluation of real knowledge of wild edible mushrooms at individual and population level increases mainly in developing countries. The purpose of our inquiry study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of the wild mushrooms in a random sample from the population of Varna region in Bulgaria. Material/Methods: We performed an anonymous questionnaire investigation of 200 adult individuals, 100 males and 100 females, from Varna region, including 17 potential opinions from their personal knowledge of wild edible mushroom usage. Statistical data processing was performed using descriptive methods, variation and correlation analyses. Results: Most respondents acquired their knowledge of wild edible mushrooms from their relatives. From all 200 persons investigated 78 respondents were not capable of recognizing at least one wild edible mushroom at all. More respondents trusted other people, who have very good experience with preparation of wild mushrooms, thus relying on differentiation of a mushroom poison. Their awareness was associated with their capacity to properly recognize wild mushrooms as well as their long-term practice to recognize toxic mushrooms. Just a minority of respondents shared that wild mushrooms in their vicinity could be a problem and had a slight idea of mycotherapy. Only two females had heard about training for wild mushroom recognition. There were statistically significant correlation dependences between respondent’s awareness of wild edible mushrooms, on one hand, and individual sex status, educational level and main residence, on the other hand. Conclusion: Our study identified two most recognized wild edible mushroom species in Varna region, edible boletus (Boletus edulis Bull) and parasol mushroom (Macrolepiota procera S. F. Gray). Most respondents acquired their knowledge of wild edible mushrooms from relatives. A problem-oriented training of the population on this topic should be performed to improve awareness of common mushroom features and avoid mushroom poisoning.

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