Mushroom (Fungi) Poisonings Investigated at the Regional Centre of Acute Poisoning, Institute of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, Sosnowiec, Poland

• NCJ Number: 225794
• Journal: Problems of Forensic Sciences Volume: 75 Dated: 2008 Pages: 282-293
• Author(s): Malgorzata Kapala; Anna Nowacka; Mariusz Kicka; Marck Rakowski
• Date Published: 2008
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Poland

Annotation

This article reports on the methodology and findings in 349 cases of mushroom poisoning diagnosed in Poland between 2003 and 2007.

Abstract

In all these cases, the presence of fungal spores was confirmed in investigated biological materials. In 42 of the cases, patients were hospitalized due to the severity of their condition. Seven of the most severe cases contained spores of the “death cap” mushroom; and nine of the severe cases were diagnosed with spores of the “false morel.” Due to symptoms of acute liver failure, three patients were assessed for liver transplants. One patient died, having accidentally eaten a “death cap,” mistaking it for a parasol mushroom. For the latter patient, this report describes the symptoms and progress of the toxic effects over a period of 9 days prior to death. For this case, the laboratory confirmed typical signs of Amanita phalloides poisoning syndrome, which are severe and life threatening. Such cases require prompt and precise diagnostic management and immediate, specialized treatment. A sporocarp of average size weighing approximately 50 grams constitutes a lethal dose for an adult human. Determining the type of poisoning in its initial stage is difficult, since all patients may present with stomachache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headaches. An important criterion in evaluating a patient with mushroom poisoning is the time lapse between eating the mushrooms and the onset of initial symptoms. Symptoms that develop within 30 minutes to 2-5 hours are characteristics of poisonings with a milder course and a favorable prognosis; whereas, poisonings whose symptoms emerge from 6 to 12 hours after consumption are cytotropic in character and are among the most dangerous. Analysis of fungal spores detected in gastrointestinal content can determine the mushroom species that may have caused the poisoning long before any biological changes occur. 3 tables, 3 figures, and 18 references