scholarly journals Prognosis and treatment options in cases of acute liver failure caused by mushroom poisoning due to Amanita phalloides

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 875
Author(s):  
Anant Parasher ◽  
Akshay Aggrawal

Poisoning due to mushroom ingestion is a relatively rare but deadly cause of acute liver failure (ALF). Consumption of the poisonous mushroom Amanita phalloides, also known as ‘death cap’, is one of the most common causes of mushroom poisoning worldwide, being involved in the majority of human fatalities caused due to mushroom ingestion. A major portion of the liver damage due to Amanita phalloides is related to powerful toxins known as amanitins, which cause impairment in protein synthesis and subsequent cell necrosis by the inhibition of RNA polymerase II. Initially the presentation is that of an asymptomatic lag phase, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms and hepato-renal involvement. Amatoxin poisoning may progress into fulminant hepatic failure and eventually death if liver transplantation is not performed. It is based on a careful assessment of history of type and duration of mushroom ingestion, as well as the clinical manifestations. Diagnosis can be confirmed by laboratory tests measuring urinary amatoxin levels and identification of the mushroom. Although N-Acetyl Cysteine and Penicillin-G have proven to be effective therapeutic agents, Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (OLT) or Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplantation (APOLT) is the only treatment option for most of the cases carrying a poor prognosis.

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Santi ◽  
Caterina Maggioli ◽  
Marianna Mastroroberto ◽  
Manuel Tufoni ◽  
Lucia Napoli ◽  
...  

Mushroom poisoning is a relatively rare cause of acute liver failure (ALF). The present paper analyzes the pathogenesis, clinical features, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic strategies of ALF secondary to ingestion ofAmanita phalloides, which represents the most common and deadly cause of mushroom poisoning. Liver damage fromAmanita phalloidesis related to the amanitins, powerful toxins that inhibit RNA polymerase II resulting in a deficient protein synthesis and cell necrosis. After an asymptomatic lag phase, the clinical picture is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by the liver and kidney involvement. Amatoxin poisoning may progress into ALF and eventually death if liver transplantation is not performed. The mortality rate afterAmanita phalloidespoisoning ranges from 10 to 20%. The management of amatoxin poisoning consists of preliminary medical care, supportive measures, detoxification therapies, and orthotopic liver transplantation. The clinical efficacy of any modality of treatment is difficult to demonstrate since randomized, controlled clinical trials have not been reported. The use of extracorporeal liver assist devices as well as auxiliary liver transplantation may represent additional therapeutic options.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianlong Wu ◽  
Xueyi Gong ◽  
Zemin Hu ◽  
Qiang Sun

Abstract Background Amanita verna is one of the most harmful wild fungi in China. Amanita verna poisoning occurs every year, and the mortality is as high as 50%. However, its clinical manifestations are complex and diverse. Case presentation In March 2019, three patients took a large amount of Amanita, and one of them received liver transplantation in Zhongshan hospital, Sun Yat-sen University. All patients had vomiting and diarrhea 8–12 h after eating wild mushrooms (Amanita). The patients were initially diagnosed with Amanita poisoning. One case (case 3) was complicated and diagnosed as mushroom poisoning (fatal Amanita), toxic hepatitis, acute liver failure, toxic encephalopathy, hemorrhagic colitis, toxic myocarditis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and pregnancy. The general clinical data of all patients were recorded, who received early treatment such as hemodialysis, artificial liver plasma exchange, hormone shock and anti-infection. One case (case 1) recovered smoothly after liver transplantation, and the indexes of liver, kidney, coagulation function and infection were improved. The other two cases died of intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion Liver transplantation is an effective method for the treatment of acute liver failure caused by mushroom poisoning and can improve the survival rate of patients with toxic liver failure.


Author(s):  
S. T. Binoj ◽  
Johns Shaji Mathew ◽  
M. Abdul Razak ◽  
Krishnanunni Nair ◽  
Shweta Mallick ◽  
...  

2002 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 369-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjiv Saigal ◽  
Parthi Srinivasan ◽  
John Devlin ◽  
Bastiaan Boer ◽  
Buxton Thomas ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
pp. 3089-3100
Author(s):  
Jane Macnaughtan ◽  
Rajiv Jalan

Liver failure occurs when loss of hepatic parenchymal function exceeds the capacity of hepatocytes to regenerate or repair liver injury. Acute liver failure is characterized by jaundice and prolongation of the prothrombin time in the context of recent acute liver injury, with hepatic encephalopathy occurring within 8 weeks of the first onset of liver disease. Acute-on-chronic liver failure is characterized by hepatic and/or extrahepatic organ failure in patients with cirrhosis associated with an identified or unidentified precipitating event. The commonest causes of acute liver failure are acute viral hepatitis and drugs. Acute-on-chronic liver failure is most commonly precipitated by infection, alcohol abuse, and superimposed viral infection. The main clinical manifestations are hepatic encephalopathy, coagulopathy, jaundice, renal dysfunction, and haemodynamic instability. Infection and systemic inflammation contribute to pathogenesis and critically contribute to prognosis. Specific therapy for the underlying liver disease is administered when available, but this is not possible for most causes of liver failure. Treatment is predominantly supportive, with particular emphasis on (1) correction or removal of precipitating factors; (2) if encephalopathy is present, using phosphate enemata, nonhydrolysed disaccharide laxatives, and/or rifaximin; (3) early detection and prompt treatment of complications such as hypoglycaemia, hypokalaemia, cerebral oedema, infection, and bleeding. The onset of organ failure should prompt discussion with a liver transplantation centre. The mortality of acute liver failure (without liver transplantation) is about 40%. Patients with acute liver failure who do not develop encephalopathy can be expected to recover completely. Those who recover from an episode of acute-on-chronic liver failure should be considered for liver transplantation because otherwise their subsequent mortality remains high.


HPB ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. S479
Author(s):  
Q. Cheng ◽  
D. Gao ◽  
X. Long ◽  
P. Zhu ◽  
X.-P. Chen

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