Wild mushroom poisoning in Kumaon region of Uttarakhand: a case series

Mushrooms have been dietary source in hilly and ethnic tribes of India. More than 5000 mushroom species are known worldwide and nearly 100 species are known to be poisonous for humans. Mushroom poisoning occurs due to unintentional and accidental ingestion of poisonous mushroom due to misidentification of poisonous variety as edible one. There has been increasingly incidence of reporting of mushroom poisoning cases nowadays. Here we are reporting case series of 4 patients admitted hailing from same village with accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms with clinical-laboratory profile and outcome at our institution. Mushroom Poisoning is an emerging healthcare concern nowadays. Education and mass awareness for identification of poisonous mushrooms is an important preventive measure. Early hospitalization, proper hydration, gastric decontamination, silibinin and N- acetyl cysteine therapy with hepato-renal support constitutes mainstay of treatment. Delay in treatment and complications results in poor prognosis and mortality.

Diversity, Dispersal and Mode of Reproduction of Amanita exitialis in Southern China

Amanita exitialis is a poisonous mushroom and has caused many deaths in southern China. In this study, we collected 118 fruiting bodies of A. exitialis from seven different sites in Guangdong Province in southern China and investigated their genetic relationships using 14 polymorphic molecular markers. These 14 markers grouped the 118 fruiting bodies into 20 multilocus genotypes. Among these 20 genotypes, eight were each found only once while the remaining 12 were each represented by two to 54 fruiting bodies. Interestingly, among the 12 shared genotypes, four were shared between/among local populations that were separated by as far as over 80 km, a result consistent with secondary homothallic reproduction and long-distance spore dispersal. Despite the observed gene flow, significant genetic differentiations were found among the local populations, primarily due to the over-representation of certain genotypes within individual local populations. STRUCTURE analyses revealed that the 118 fruiting bodies belonged to three genetic clusters, consistent with divergence within this species in this geographic region. Interestingly, we found an excess of heterozygous individuals at both the local and the total sample level, suggesting potential inbreeding depression and heterozygous advantage in these populations of A. exitialis. We discuss the implications of our results for understanding the life cycle, dispersal, and evolution of this poisonous mushroom.

POISONING CASES OF NOXIOUS SUBSTANCES EATEN AS FOOD: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY AT A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN MALAYSIA

There is limited information regarding the epidemiology of food poisoning in Malaysia as the issue of food poisoning is often perceived as not as huge as compared to other poisoning cases like intoxication by drugs and chemicals. Patients who experience severe food poisoning require hospitalisation, aggressive hydration, and some even require antibiotic treatment. In this study, we aimed to determine an overview of food poisoning cases reported in UMMC. A 10-year retrospective study on the poisoning of other noxious substances eaten as food (ICD10: T62.0-T62.9) in the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) was performed. A total of 23 medical records of patients, admitted from January 2009 to December 2019 were reviewed. The greatest proportion of food poisoning occurred between the ages of 0 and 9 years, with a predominance of the male gender. Malay patients accounted for most food poisoning cases. All cases of poisoning, including a mushroom poisoning case (T62.0), were accidental. The mushroom poisoning case was then carefully reviewed. To conclude, this study revealed that the most common cause involved in the poisoning was unspecified food poisoning, followed by ingestion of poisonous mushroom. Most patients were given symptomatic and supportive treatments. All patients had favourable outcomes and were discharged with full recovery.

Omphaloprenol A: A new bioactive polyisoprenepolyol isolated from the mycelium of poisonous mushroom Omphalotus japonicus

Mushrooms of the Omphalotus genus are known to be rich in secondary metabolites. In the quest for new bioactive compounds, we analyzed the compounds isolated from the mycelium of the poisonous mushroom Omphalotus japonicus. As a result, a new polyisoprenepolyol, which was named omphaloprenol A, was identified, along with known substances such as hypsiziprenol A10 and A11, illudin S, and ergosterol. The chemical structure of omphaloprenol A was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopies and mass spectrometry, and its bioactivity was investigated. Omphaloprenol A showed growth promoting activity against the root of lettuce seeds and cytotoxicity against HL60 cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation of a polyisoprenepolyol compound from Omphalotaceae mushrooms.

Poisoning Case of Chlorophyllum cf. molybdites in Indonesia

Wild edible mushrooms are one the germplasms which consumed by some people in Indonesia. However, due to the similar morpholgical appearance from one mushroom to another, cases of wild mushroom poisoning might be occurred as the result of the misidentification at foraging time. One of the common poisonous mushrooms which easily found around residence area is Chlorophyllum molybdites. To date, there is no database of mushroom poisoning cases in Indonesia. The aims of this research was to provide the information regarding C. molybdites poisoning cases in Indonesia. This is a literature-based quantitative research. During the last 10 years, it is suspected that there have been 4 cases of Chlorophyllum cf. molybdites poisoning in Indonesia with a total of 34 victims and none has died. This mushroom is known to contain toxic compounds, namely polymeric protein. The main constraint related to determining the taxonomic identity of poisonous mushroom, is the lack of information and documentation of samples that cause poisoning in Indonesia. This research explained how to recognize the character of C. molybdites, information on its distribution, and its toxicity aspects. With the complete information as a medium for disseminating mycology knowledge, it is hoped that cases of wild mushroom poisoning can be prevented in the future in Indonesia.

Chemistry and Toxicology of Major Bioactive Substances in Inocybe Mushrooms

Mushroom poisoning has always been a threat to human health. There are a large number of reports about ingestion of poisonous mushrooms every year around the world. It attracts the attention of researchers, especially in the aspects of toxin composition, toxic mechanism and toxin application in poisonous mushroom. Inocybe is a large genus of mushrooms and contains toxic substances including muscarine, psilocybin, psilocin, aeruginascin, lectins and baeocystin. In order to prevent and remedy mushroom poisoning, it is significant to clarify the toxic effects and mechanisms of these bioactive substances. In this review article, we summarize the chemistry, most known toxic effects and mechanisms of major toxic substances in Inocybe mushrooms, especially muscarine, psilocybin and psilocin. Their available toxicity data (different species, different administration routes) published formerly are also summarized. In addition, the treatment and medical application of these toxic substances in Inocybe mushrooms are also discussed. We hope that this review will help understanding of the chemistry and toxicology of Inocybe mushrooms as well as the potential clinical application of its bioactive substances to benefit human beings.