Mushrooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Deadly

TL;DR

This paper discusses the dangers of poisonous mushrooms like Amanita phalloides and highlights the importance of early detection and prevention.

Contribution

The paper presents two clinical cases of severe Amanita poisoning to emphasize diagnostic and management challenges.

Findings

Amanita phalloides poisoning leads to significant morbidity and mortality due to amatoxins.

Delayed diagnosis complicates treatment and worsens outcomes in mushroom poisoning cases.

Public health strategies including education and prevention are critical to reducing mushroom-related risks.

Abstract

Mushrooms are widely consumed for their culinary and nutritional value; however, some species pose serious toxicological risks. While edible varieties such as Agaricus bisporus dominate global and US markets, others, including Amanita phalloides, contain potent amatoxins associated with high morbidity and mortality. Mushroom poisoning, or mycetism, occurs across diverse populations and commonly results from accidental ingestion or species misidentification. Diagnosis is often delayed due to difficulties in accurate identification, complicating timely management. This report aims to describe two cases of severe Amanita poisoning to illustrate the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies, including supportive care, antidotal therapy, and consideration for liver transplantation. It also aims to highlight the public health impact of amatoxin-containing mushrooms and underscore the need for early recognition, culturally sensitive education, and effective preventive measures to reduce mushroom-related health risks.

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