POISONOUS MUSHROOMS

Mushroom poisoning

• Known as mycetism or mycetismus.

• Refers to harmful effects due to ingestion of toxic substances present in a

mushroom.
 Mushroom poisoning

• Symptoms vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death.

• Common reason for misidentification is close resemblance in color &

morphology of toxic mushroom species with edible species.

 Parts of a mushroom

• Cap - The cap of the mushroom is the topmost part and gives the fungi its
umbrella-like shape.
• Gills - The gills are thin, paper-like structures layered side by side that often
hang from the underside of the cap.
• Ring - A ring of tissue which is sometimes found on a mushroom stem.
• Stem - The stem or stipe supports the cap and elevates it above the ground.
• Volva - A cup-like structure at the base of a mushroom that is a remnant of
the universal veil
 Features for identifying poisonous mushrooms
• Brightly coloured

• Presence of annulus (ring) on stalk

• Presence of volva (cup) at the base of stalk

• Odor: Some poisonous mushrooms have a strong, unpleasant odor, such as the Amanita

phalloides mushroom, which has a strong, garlicky odor.

• Bruising and Color Changes: Mushrooms that bruise or discolor when touched or cut can

indicate toxicity. This can include rapid color changes to blue, green, or black.
 Mushroom poisoning
Mushroom poisoning is subdivided into 4

• Protoplasmic toxins

• Neurotoxins

• Gastrointestinal irritants

• Disulfiram like toxins (coprine)

• Toxins are secondary metabolites produced by the fungus. Major toxin

groups are:

• Amanitin (amatoxins)

• Phallotoxin

• Muscarine

• Isoxazole derivatives (Muscimol, Ibotenic acid etc)

• Gyromitrin
• Orellanin

• Psilocybin, psilocin and other indole derivatives

• Coprine and other alcohol induced syndromes

• Gastrointestinal irritants
 Protoplasmic toxins
• Deadly toxins – also called cellular toxins

• Cause cellular destruction & cell death

• Liver & kidney damage

• 3 toxin groups in this category:

1) Amanitins – cyclopeptides

2) Gyromitrin – monomethylhydrazine

3) Orellanine
 Neurotoxins
• Affect autonomic nervous system which controls the involuntary regulation

of smooth & cardiac muscles, organs of GI tract, endocrine system &

excretory system

• 2 toxin groups:

• Muscarine

• Coprine
 Gastrointestinal Irritants
• Some mushrooms contain toxins that can cause gastrointestinal distress,

including nausea, vomiting & abdominal cramps.

• Symptoms similar to those caused by protoplasmic poisons- but have a rapid

onset.

• Eg: Chlorophyllum molybdites

 Poisonous mushrooms

Genus Amanita
• Amanita sp. are recognized by their pale gills, which are free from the

stem; white spore prints; presence of universal veil that often creates a
Death Cap (Amanita phalloides)
volva.

• Amanita phalloides & Amanita virosa account for 95% of all mushroom

fatalities with A. phalloides causing the most poisoning.

• The major toxins present are amatoxin, phyllotoxin.

Destroying Angel (Amanita virosa)

A. bisporigera A. verna A. ocreata
 Amatoxin
• They are group of complex cyclic polypeptides that damage tissues by

inhibiting RNA synthesis and DNA transcription thus preventing protein

synthesis.

AMATOXIN POISONING- STAGES OF ILLNESS

• Phase 1 – Latency or lag period of 10-12 hours.It is a silent phase. Toxins are

absorbed through digestive system & begin to attack kidneys & liver.
AMATOXIN POISONING- STAGES OF ILLNESS

• Phase 1 – Latency or lag period of 10-12 hours.It is a silent phase. Toxins are

absorbed through digestive system & begin to attack kidneys & liver.

• Phase 2 – Gastrointestinal phase. Onset of symptoms: abdominal pains,

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, delirium, hallucinations, hypoglycemia,

dehydration.
• Phase 3 – Severe gastrointestinal phase. GI symptoms resolves after 3-4

days but the damage to liver and kidney continues.

• Phase 4 – Death takes place within 6-8 days after ingestion due to liver &

renal failure, cardiac damage.

 Treatment

• No antidote

• Supportive care- immediate evacuation of gastrointestinal tract, hemodialysis

• Activated charcoal to absorb toxins in stomach

• Plasmapheresis-Replacing blood and plasma with fresh and clean blood and

plasma.

• Liver transplant
 Phallotoxin
• Phallotoxins are cyclopeptides

• It includes phalloin, phalloidin, phallisin, phallacidin, phallacin &

phallisacin.

• Cause cell destruction in liver.

• Attack plasma membrane

• Cells leak Ca++ & then K+

• Toxin enters cytoplasm & attacks organelles by rupturing lysosome

membrane
• A.muscaria and A. pantherina shows hallucinogenic effects due

to the presence of Isoxazole derivatives like (Ibotenic acid

(IBO) and muscimol).

A.muscaria
 Genus Inocybe
• Mushrooms have various shades of brown, although some lilac or purplish

species exist.

• The cap often appears fibrous, giving the genus its common name of “fiber

caps”.

• They produce neurotoxic & psychotropic effects due to the presence of

biogenic amines, muscarin, aeruginacin (analogue of psilocybin).

I. rimosa I. lilacina I. asterospora I. patouillardii
Genus Clitocybe
This genus is characterized by:

• gills running down the stem

• white, off-white, buff, cream, pink, or light-yellow spores

• pale white to brown or liliac coloration.

• The main toxin present is muscarine similar to genus inocybe.

Genus Clitocybe
• Other substance responsible for the symptoms are Acromelic acids A-E.

which was found in Clitocybe acromelalga.

• Acromelic acid exhibits neuroexcitatory activity, mimics glutamic acid,

causes behavior changes & induce selective damages to interneurons.

Fool’s Funnel C. dealbata C. candicans C. phyllophila
(C. rivulosa)
 Muscarine Poisoning

• Muscarine found in Amanita muscaria, Clitocybe & Inocybe

• PSL syndrome – perspiration, salivation & lachrymation within 15-30 minutes after

ingestion.

• Muscarine stimulates the exocrine glands (produce sweat, saliva & tears)

• With large doses – abdominal pain, severe nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, loss of

consciousness, delirium, hallucination, bloody stools, rapid then slow respiration

 Muscarine Poisoning

• Intoxication gets weak within 2 hours.

• Death is rare, but cardiac or respiratory failure common in severe cases

 TREATMENT

• Atropine is a specific antidote but must be administered by a physician.

Genus Cortinarius

• Mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius or Webcaps are

characterized by possessing a cobweb-like cortina (remnant of

the partial veil covering the gills).

• The toxin present is orellanine

Fool’s Webcap C. speciosissimus Deadly Webcap
(C. orellanus) (C. rubellus)
 Orellanine
• Nephrotoxic

• Latent period of 3-14 days – attacking kidneys

• Burning thirst, excessive urination – first symptoms

• Followed by nausea, headache, muscular pain, spasms, loss of consciousness

• In severe cases, kidney failure may result in death

• Fatty degeneration of liver & inflammatory changes in the intestine accompany renal

damage.
 TREATMENT

• Hemodialysis may be necessary until renal function gradually

improves
Genus Gyromitra

• Gyromitra known as “False Morel”

• The irregularly shaped cap resembles brain. It is initially smooth & becomes

progressively more wrinkled as it grows & ages.

• The cap color may be various shades of reddish, chestnut, purplish, dark or sometimes

golden brown; it darkens to black in age.

Genus Gyromitra
• Species of genus Gyromitra are attractive to hunters because of their taste.

• But some species contain toxin gyromitrin and they are difficult to distinguish.

• Gyromitrin in the fungus hydrolyzes to monomethylhydrazine (MMH)- which is highly

toxic.

• The toxin is water soluble & volatile, boiling for a long time and drying allows

ingestion without risk of poisoning.

 False morels
G. infula G. fastigiata G. montana
(G. esculenta)
 Gyromitrin Poisoning
• Resembles Amanita poisoning but is less severe.

• Latent period of 6-10 hours after ingestion.

• Sudden onset of abdominal discomfort (feeling of fullness), severe headache, vomiting,

diarrhea, pain, cramps

• Toxin primarily affects liver & causes hemolysis of red blood cells & CNS- result in

loss of coordination, coma, convulsions

 Treatment
• Pyridoxine hydrochloride should be administered as a specific physiological antagonist

to MMH.

• Blood sugar, liver & kidney function, & free hemoglobin level should be monitored.

• Intravenous glucose, forced diuresis (to remove free hemoglobin), if free hemoglobin

level increase, hemodialysis in severe cases.

Genus Psilocybe
• They are small mushrooms with brown caps.

• They cause psychedelic effects due to the presence of psilocybin and psilocin.

• They are alkaloids that interact with the brain, affecting nerve transmission and causing

hallucinations.

• The activity of psilocybin is due to the activation of serotonin 2-A receptor.

P. cubensis P. mexicana P. semilanceata P. bohemica
 Symptoms
• Anxiety

• Nausea

• Vertigo

• Asthenia (lack of energy)

• Visual problems

• Tachycardia (heart rate that is too fast)

• Hypertension
 TREATMENT
• Recovery is 4 to 12 hours after ingestion.

• The need of hospitalization is rare.

• In exceptional cases myocardial infarction may occur in adult patients while children

may show seizures, hyper-thermia and comma.

Genus Coprinus
• Genus Coprinus known as Inky Cap

• Coprine poisoning is actually acetaldehyde poisoning.

• These mushrooms contain an unusual amino acid coprine- a derivative of glutamine,

which is non-toxic unless mixed with alcohol.

• It is toxic only when combined with alcohol (if you drink alcohol 3 or 4 hours before

eating the mushroom or two or three days after eating them)

Coprinus variegatus Coprinus atramentarius
 Coprine Poisoning
• Coprine poisoning, also known as "disulfiram-like syndrome," occurs when a person

consumes certain mushrooms of the Coprinus genus, alongside alcohol.

• Coprine is a compound found in these mushrooms that inhibits the enzyme

acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, which is responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a

toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism.

 Symtoms

• Hot & sweaty face, becoming flushed

• Flushing spreading to neck and chest
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Numbness in hands
• Rapid, difficult breathing
• Rapid heart rate
• Severe headache
• Nausea & vomiting
 Guidelines to avoid mushroom poisoning

• Avoid mushrooms oozing a white milky juice when cut.

• Don’t use insect infested, wilted, over mature or wild mushrooms.
• Never eat an uncooked mushroom unless we are absolutely sure that it is

edible.
• Avoid eating wild button mushrooms. At button stage, species cannot be

distinguished easily.
• Mushrooms partially damaged by insects or eaten by animals are not safe

for consumption.
T h a n k
yo u !