Emily Johnson
While only a small number of mushrooms are proven fatal to humans, there are a number of recognised mushroom toxins with deadly effects. The most common toxin causing severe poisoning is amatoxin, found in various mushroom species that cause the most fatalities every year. Amatoxin blocks the replication of DNA, leading to cell death and organ failure. One of the most poisonous mushrooms in the world is Amanita phalloides, commonly known as the death cap, which is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities annually. Other deadly mushrooms include the destroying angel, the deadly dapperling, the funeral bell, and the fool's conecap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Death cap, deadly dapperling, destroying angel, funeral bell, fool's conecap, deadly webcap, fool's webcap |
| Scientific names | Amanita phalloides, Amanita virosa, Conocybe filaris, Pholiotina rugosa, Galerina marginata, Cortinarius rubellus, Cortinarius orellanus |
| Toxins | Amatoxins, Orellanine, Phallotoxins, Antamanide |
| Symptoms | Violent abdominal pain, vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, rapid loss of fluids, intense thirst, kidney failure, liver failure, cell death, heart failure |
| Time to onset of symptoms | 6-24 hours |
| Treatment | Silybum marianum (Blessed milk thistle) |
| Appearance | White, green, orange-brown, red-brown, small, cone-shaped |
| Smell | Initially faint and honey-sweet, later overpowering and sickly-sweet |
| Region | Europe, Asia, North America, UK |
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What You'll Learn
- The Death Cap mushroom is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms
- Amatoxins are the toxins found in Death Caps, which are heat-resistant and damage cells
- Poisonous Webcap mushrooms are very similar in appearance to edible varieties
- The Deadly Dapperling is widely distributed throughout Europe and parts of Asia
- Symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary from gastrointestinal discomfort to death
The Death Cap mushroom is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms
The Death Cap mushroom, or Amanita phalloides, is the most poisonous of all known mushrooms. It is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus and mushroom, one of many in the genus Amanita. It is estimated that as little as half a Death Cap mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
The Death Cap mushroom is estimated to be responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities every year. Its toxins are heat-stable amatoxins, which withstand cooking temperatures and quickly damage cells throughout the body. Amatoxins are a type of alkaloid, a naturally occurring chemical, and are the most common toxin that causes severe poisoning. They are found in various mushroom species that cause the most fatalities annually.
Death Cap mushrooms have large concentrations of toxins that can be fatal even in small doses. Amatoxins can stop protein synthesis in cells, causing cell death. The major toxic mechanism of amatoxins 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, and the cell dies.
The Death Cap mushroom originates in Europe but has been introduced to other parts of the world since the late twentieth century. It typically grows on or near trees in forests and is found throughout Europe, North America, and Australia. The large fruiting bodies 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.
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Amatoxins are the toxins found in Death Caps, which are heat-resistant and damage cells
While only a few of the 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are fatal when ingested, many of these deadly fungi bear a striking resemblance to edible mushrooms, making them extremely dangerous. Amatoxins are the toxins found in Death Caps, which are heat-resistant and damage cells.
Death Cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are among the most lethal mushrooms worldwide, responsible for 90% of mushroom-related fatalities each year. They are named for their substantial amount of amatoxin, with about 10 mg per mushroom, which is the lethal dose. Amatoxins are a class of toxins that are thermostable, meaning they resist changes due to heat and cold, and their toxic effects are not reduced by cooking, drying, or freezing.
The mechanism by which amatoxins cause harm is through 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 cell metabolism are halted, leading to cell death. The liver is the principal organ affected, as it is the first organ encountered after absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, but other organs, especially the kidneys, are also susceptible.
Symptoms of Death Cap poisoning typically occur within 6-24 hours of ingestion and include violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhoea, leading to rapid fluid loss. This is followed by severe involvement of the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system, including decreased urinary output and low blood sugar. Despite the dangerous symptoms, amatoxin poisoning is treatable if quick, professional care is received. Intravenous penicillin G and silibinin, an extract from the blessed milk thistle, have been shown to improve survivability.
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Poisonous Webcap mushrooms are very similar in appearance to edible varieties
There are around 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms, and only a few of them are fatal when ingested. However, many of these deadly fungi bear a striking resemblance to edible mushrooms, making them extremely dangerous. Poisonous Webcap mushrooms (Cortinarius) are a prime example of this deceptive nature, as they closely resemble several edible varieties.
The Webcap mushrooms encompass two species: the deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus). These toxic mushrooms can be easily mistaken for each other and a range of edible mushrooms due to their similar appearance. Webcap mushrooms contain a poison known as orellanin, which can cause severe health issues and even death if consumed.
The symptoms of orellanin poisoning initially mimic those of the common flu, making it challenging for individuals to recognize the toxicity promptly. However, the insidious nature of this toxin becomes evident as it may take up to three weeks for more severe symptoms to manifest. During this extended latency period, individuals may experience a misdiagnosis, delaying the receipt of proper treatment.
The deadly consequences of Webcap mushroom ingestion were highlighted in a 2008 incident involving English author Nicholas Evans. Evans mistakenly collected and served Webcap mushrooms to his relatives, resulting in the hospitalization of four people. The severity of their condition led to kidney transplants for three of the affected individuals, including Evans himself.
To avoid the dangers associated with poisonous mushrooms, it is imperative for mushroom gatherers to educate themselves thoroughly about the specific mushrooms they intend to collect, as well as any similar-looking toxic varieties. By taking the time to learn about the characteristics of both edible and toxic mushrooms, foragers can significantly reduce the risk of accidental poisoning.
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The Deadly Dapperling is widely distributed throughout Europe and parts of Asia
The Deadly Dapperling (Lepiota brunneoincarnata) is a gilled mushroom known to contain amatoxins. Amatoxins are the most common toxin that causes severe poisoning and are found in various mushroom species that cause the most fatalities every year. Amatoxins block the replication of DNA, leading to cell death, and can cause liver failure. The Deadly Dapperling is widely distributed throughout Europe and parts of Asia, growing in grassy areas such as fields, parks, and gardens. It is often mistaken for edible mushrooms, such as the grey knight (Tricholoma terreum) and fairy ring champignon (Marasmius oreades), and has been responsible for several deaths in recent years.
The Deadly Dapperling has a brown scaled cap up to 4 cm wide with a pinkish-brown stem and white gills. The cap margin is inrolled and fleshy, with thick uncrowded gills that are occasionally forked. The cylindrical stem is 2-3.5 cm tall and 0.6-0.9 cm wide, with the upper part pinkish-tan and the lower part covered in dark brown scales. The thick flesh reddens when bruised or cut and smells like unripe fruit. The taste is mild, and the spores are oval, dextrinoid, and turn red-brown in Melzer's reagent.
The Deadly Dapperling is native to the warmer parts of Europe, generally the south, but has also been recorded in Britain, Germany, and other parts of mainland Europe. In Asia, it has been found in Turkey, Israel, Pakistan, Iran, and eastern China. It was first described scientifically in 1889 by Swiss mycologists Robert Hippolyte Chodat and Charles-Édouard Martin, who named it Lepiota brunneoincarnata, which remains its generally accepted scientific name.
The Deadly Dapperling is a rare find in Britain and Ireland, but its wide distribution and resemblance to edible mushrooms make it potentially dangerous to foragers. Mushroom poisoning can result from ingesting mushrooms containing toxic substances, and symptoms can range from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death within about 10 days. To prevent mushroom poisoning, it is important to familiarize oneself with the mushrooms one intends to collect and similar-looking toxic species.
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Symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary from gastrointestinal discomfort to death
While most wild mushrooms are edible, a few types are poisonous or even deadly. Poisonous mushrooms contain differing toxins that cause different types of harm. The most common toxin that causes severe poisoning is amatoxin, which blocks the replication of DNA, leading to cell death. Other toxins include psilocybin, muscarine, coprine, allenic norleucine, and gyromitrin. Amatoxin poisoning is treatable if quick, professional care is received. However, it is always recommended to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect that you or anyone in your care has eaten a poisonous mushroom.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to death. The most common consequence of mushroom poisoning is gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, there are several recognized mushroom toxins with specific, and sometimes deadly, effects. For example, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides), considered the deadliest of all mushrooms, causes violent abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea within 6 to 12 hours of consumption. This is followed by severe liver and kidney damage, leading to a rapid loss of fluid and intense thirst. Death may occur within 48 hours. Other mushrooms with similar effects to the death cap include Galerina, Lepiota, Conocybe, and Cortinarius species.
The onset of symptoms after ingestion varies depending on the toxin. For example, orellanine, a toxin found in some Cortinarius species, may not cause symptoms for 3-20 days after ingestion. Typically, kidney failure begins around day 11 and is symptomatic by day 20, with symptoms including pain in the kidney area, thirst, vomiting, headache, and fatigue. In contrast, α-Amanitin, the chief component of amatoxin, has a latency period of 6-12 hours, followed by gastrointestinal upset and severe liver damage that may continue for 2-3 days.
The severity of mushroom poisoning also depends on the amount ingested. As little as half of a death cap mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human. Therefore, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately if you suspect mushroom poisoning, even if symptoms appear mild.
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Frequently asked questions
Lethal mushrooms are a small number of the many macroscopic fruiting bodies commonly known as mushrooms or toadstools that have proven fatal to humans when ingested.
Some examples of lethal mushrooms include the Death Cap, Web Cap, Deadly Dapperling, Destroying Angel, Funeral Bell, and Deadly Webcap.
These mushrooms contain toxins such as amatoxins, orellanine, and alpha-amanitin, which can cause cell death, liver failure, kidney failure, and other severe health issues.
Lethal mushrooms often bear a resemblance to edible mushroom species in terms of colour, morphology, and even taste, leading to misidentification and accidental ingestion.
If you accidentally consume a lethal mushroom, seek immediate medical attention. Mushroom poisoning can be treated with quick, professional care, and in some cases, liver damage can be mitigated with Silybum marianum (blessed milk thistle).
