Michael Davis
Mushrooms are a tasty treat enjoyed by many, but it's important to be aware that some varieties are highly toxic and can cause severe illness or even death. With over 10,000 species of mushrooms in the United States alone, it can be challenging to distinguish the safe from the poisonous. While some mushrooms have distinctive features, others bear a striking resemblance to edible varieties, making them easily mistaken for a tasty treat. The consequences of consuming toxic mushrooms can range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to liver and kidney failure, and even death. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution when foraging for mushrooms and to seek expert identification before consumption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of poisonous mushroom species | 70-80 or 15-20 lethal species out of 100 poisonous species |
| Number of total mushroom species | 10,000 in the US, 1662 in China, 100,000 worldwide |
| Most common poisonous species | Amanita, Galerina, Lepiota |
| Most common symptoms | Gastrointestinal issues (vomiting, diarrhea), liver and kidney failure, seizures, tremors |
| Time of onset of symptoms | 15 minutes to 3 weeks |
| Treatments | Induce vomiting, activated charcoal, symptomatic care |
| Prevention | Familiarize with poisonous species, don't consume wild mushrooms |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita phalloides, the 'death cap' mushroom, is one of the most poisonous mushrooms
- Mushroom poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and even liver and kidney failure
- Only about 3% of known mushroom varieties are poisonous to humans
- Poisonous mushrooms can resemble edible mushrooms in colour and morphology
- Dogs are susceptible to mushroom poisoning, which can be fatal
Amanita phalloides, the 'death cap' mushroom, is one of the most poisonous mushrooms
While most mushrooms are not dangerous, some species are highly poisonous and can even be deadly. One of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world is Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap mushroom. It is estimated that consuming as little as half a death cap mushroom is enough to kill an adult human. Belonging to the Phalloideae section of the Amanita family, the death cap mushroom is responsible for most deaths following the ingestion of foraged mushrooms worldwide.
The death cap mushroom is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, originating in Europe but introduced to other parts of the world since the late twentieth century. The large fruiting bodies (mushrooms) appear in summer and autumn; the caps are generally greenish in colour with a white stipe and gills. The cap colour is variable, including white forms, and is thus not a reliable identifier. The death cap mushroom resembles several edible species commonly consumed by humans, including Caesar's mushroom and the straw mushroom, increasing the risk of accidental poisoning.
The principal toxic constituent of the death cap mushroom is α-Amanitin, which causes liver and kidney failure. The major toxic mechanism of α-Amanitin is the inhibition of RNA polymerase II, a vital enzyme in the synthesis of messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA, and small nuclear RNA (snRNA). Without mRNA, essential protein synthesis and hence cell metabolism stop, leading to cell death. The liver is the principal organ affected, as it is the organ first encountered after absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, although other organs, especially the kidneys, are also susceptible.
Despite the dangers of the death cap mushroom, there is hope for an antidote. A team of Chinese and Australian scientists reported that a widely available drug with FDA approval may be effective in treating death cap mushroom poisoning. While the drug has only been proven effective in mice thus far, it offers potential for preventing deaths from poisoning by the death cap mushroom and other poisonous mushroom species.
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Mushroom poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, and even liver and kidney failure
While there are over 10,000 species of mushrooms in the United States, only about 100 are toxic. However, it can be difficult to differentiate between poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms, even for experts. Poisonous mushrooms can cause severe symptoms and even death in both humans and animals.
Mushroom poisoning can occur due to misidentification of a poisonous species as edible, or in the case of pets, accidental ingestion. The severity of mushroom poisoning depends on factors such as the mushroom species, the amount ingested, and individual susceptibility. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and even seizures. In some cases, mushroom poisoning can lead to organ failure, including liver and kidney failure, which can be fatal.
The onset of symptoms after ingesting poisonous mushrooms can vary. Some mushrooms cause symptoms within a few hours, while others may take several days or even weeks to manifest symptoms. This variation in onset time can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment, increasing the risk of severe health complications.
If you suspect mushroom poisoning, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Treatment for mushroom poisoning is typically guided by symptoms, and there is no universal antidote. In some cases, vomiting may be induced to reduce toxin absorption, and activated charcoal can be administered to limit further absorption. However, these interventions are most effective if performed promptly after ingestion.
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Only about 3% of known mushroom varieties are poisonous to humans
Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of a group of higher fungi that have evolved contemporaneously with plants for millions of years. There are thousands of species of mushrooms, but only about 3% of known mushroom varieties are poisonous to humans. This equates to approximately 100 species of mushrooms that cause the majority of cases of poisoning when eaten by humans, and only 15-20 mushroom species are potentially lethal when ingested.
Mushroom poisoning (mushroom toxicity) occurs after the ingestion of mushrooms that contain toxins, often in the context of foraging for nontoxic, similarly appearing mushrooms. The severity of mushroom poisoning may vary depending on the geographic location where the mushroom is grown, growth conditions, the amount of toxin delivered, and the genetic characteristics of the mushroom. Boiling, cooking, freezing, or processing may not alter the toxicity of some mushrooms.
GI poisons are the most frequently encountered mushroom toxins. Amatoxins, gyromitrins, and orellanine are the toxins most commonly implicated in fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide. The amatoxins, and to a lesser extent the gyromitrins, are hepatotoxic. Orellanine and norleucine are nephrotoxic. The most common consequence of mushroom poisoning is simply gastrointestinal upset, with symptoms ranging from slight discomfort to vomiting and profuse, watery diarrhea.
The most common dangerous mushrooms are those belonging to the Amanita genus, especially Amanita phalloides, also known as the "death cap" mushroom. Amanita phalloides is perhaps the deadliest of all mushrooms, found throughout Europe and closely resembling edible straw mushrooms and caesar's mushrooms. Its heat-stable amatoxins withstand cooking temperatures and quickly damage cells throughout the body. Other dangerous mushrooms include Conocybe filaris, an innocent-looking lawn mushroom that is especially common in the Pacific Northwest, and Deadly webcaps (Cortinarius rubellus), native to northern Europe.
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Poisonous mushrooms can resemble edible mushrooms in colour and morphology
There are over 10,000 species of mushrooms in the United States, but only about 100 are toxic. However, it can be very challenging to identify the difference between poisonous and edible mushrooms, even for experts. Poisonous mushrooms can resemble edible mushrooms in colour and morphology, and consuming even a bite of them can be harmful.
Amanita phalloides, also known as the "death cap", is perhaps the deadliest of all mushrooms. It is found throughout Europe and closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms. Its amatoxins are heat-stable and quickly damage cells throughout the body. Other mushrooms in the Amanita genus are also toxic and deadly, including Amanita virosa (the "destroying angel"), Amanita verna (the "fool's mushroom"), and Amanita bisporigera. These mushrooms typically have a veil or partial veil around the upper part of the stem, a smooth yellowish-green to yellowish-brown cap, white gills, spores of various colours, a stipe or stalk, a volva (a cup-like structure at the base of the stem), and a mycelium.
Conocybe filaris is another potentially fatal mushroom that resembles edible varieties. It is commonly found in the Pacific Northwest and contains the same mycotoxins as the death cap. Deadly webcaps (Cortinarius rubellus), native to northern Europe, are very similar in appearance to edible varieties and to each other. Galerina marginata, also known as autumn skullcap, is often mistaken for hallucinogenic mushrooms and contains the same amatoxins as the Amanita species.
The deadly dapperling is a gilled mushroom known to contain amatoxins and is widely distributed throughout Europe and parts of Asia. It has been mistaken for edible varieties, although poisonings are not very common. Other species of toxic mushrooms are grouped based on the clinical reactions they cause, such as gastrointestinal issues, neurologic and hallucinogenic effects, or kidney failure.
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Dogs are susceptible to mushroom poisoning, which can be fatal
Dogs are highly susceptible to mushroom poisoning, which can prove fatal. There are over 10,000 species of mushrooms in the United States, with around 100 known toxic species. However, it can be very difficult to identify mushrooms and determine whether they are poisonous or not. Therefore, if your dog has ingested any wild mushrooms, it is important to seek immediate veterinary care.
The severity of mushroom poisoning depends on the type and amount of mushroom consumed, as well as the geographic location where the mushroom is grown, growth conditions, and the genetic characteristics of the mushroom. Some of the most common toxic species include Amanita, Galerina, and Lepiota, with Amanita being the deadliest. The toxins in these mushrooms, known as amanitins, are absorbed by the stomach and can cause liver and kidney failure. Other toxic species include Conocybe filaris, Cortinarius rubellus, and Galerina marginata, which can also be fatal.
Clinical signs of mushroom poisoning in dogs can appear within 15-30 minutes of ingestion but may also be delayed for up to 24 hours. In some cases, it may take 2-3 days to see evidence of liver and kidney failure. Common symptoms of mushroom poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures, and liver and kidney failure. It is important to note that there is no simple test to differentiate a poisonous mushroom from a non-poisonous one, and there is no specific antidote for mushroom poisoning in dogs.
If your dog has ingested mushrooms within the past two hours, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to remove the mushrooms from the stomach. The vet may also give your dog activated charcoal to bind any additional toxins. Treatment will depend on the type and amount of mushroom ingested, and hospitalization may be required for supportive care. To help with identification, bring a specimen of the mushroom or take a picture of it, including the gills, cap, stem, and surrounding area.
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