Mushroom Alert: Orellanine-Containing Varieties To Avoid

Orellanine is a mycotoxin found in a group of mushrooms known as the Orellani within the family Cortinariaceae. It was first discovered in 1952 after a mass poisoning incident in Poland. Orellanine is a colourless, crystalline, nephrotoxic compound that has been found in several mushroom species, including C. orellanus, rubellus, henrici, rainerensis, and bruneofulvus. Poisonings from these mushrooms have predominantly occurred in Europe, but cases have also been reported in North America and Australia. Orellanine displays a wide spectrum of toxic effects and can cause kidney failure and even death if left untreated.

Explore related products

But It’s Your Family…: Cutting Ties with Toxic Family Members and Loving Yourself in the Aftermath

$10.49 $18.95

Foraging for Edible Wild Plants and Mushrooms: The Ultimate Herbalist’s Survival Manual

$24.99

Mushrooms of the Northeast: A Simple Guide to Common Mushrooms (Mushroom Guides)

$12.99 $16.95

Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods

$23.29 $24.99

How to Forage for Wild Foods without Dying Journal: Track the Mushrooms and Wild Edible Plants You Find, Season by Season, Year after Year

$5.7 $16.99

Foraging Wild Foods: An Illustrated Guide to Safely Identify Edible Plants and Mushrooms for Wilderness Survival and Self Sufficiency

$15.99

Orellanine is a mycotoxin found in mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius

Orellanine is found in the mushroom species C. orellanus, rubellus, henrici, rainerensis, and bruneofulvus. Poisonings from these mushrooms have predominantly occurred in Europe, where mushroom foraging is common. However, cases of orellanine poisoning have also been reported in North America and Australia. There have been several instances of people mistakenly consuming orellanine-containing mushrooms, thinking they were edible or hallucinogenic.

The toxin is present in all parts of the mushroom but is more concentrated in the caps. Orellanine is resistant to conventional cooking and storage conditions, as it is unaffected by boiling, freezing, or drying. It can be detected in mushroom extracts, urine, plasma, and kidney extracts. Orellanine is a bipyridine N-oxide compound, structurally similar to herbicides like Paraquat and Diquat.

In recent years, there have been a small number of reported exposures to orellanine-containing mushrooms. For example, in 2021, nine exposures were reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers' (AAPCC) Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Most documented cases of orellanine toxicity are from Europe, where mushroom gathering is more common than in North America.

Poisonings have occurred when people mistake toxic mushrooms for edible or hallucinogenic ones

Mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius are known to be toxic and have caused human poisoning and death through accidental ingestion. These mushrooms are often mistaken for edible ones and contain orellanine, a bipyridyl compound similar to herbicides. The deadly webcap (Cortinarius rubellus) and the fool's webcap (Cortinarius orellanus) are very similar in appearance to each other and to several edible varieties. They contain a poison known as orellanin, which causes symptoms similar to the common flu, followed by kidney failure and death if left untreated.

Other cases of mushroom poisoning include the autumn skullcap (Galerina marginata), which has been mistaken for hallucinogenic Psilocybe mushrooms. Galerina contains amatoxins, the same poison found in the deadly Amanita species. In 1981, one fatality and two hospitalizations occurred after consuming Galerina marginata, which was mistaken for a Psilocybe species.

Mushroom poisoning can also occur due to mistaken identity, as some mushrooms resemble edible species. For example, the deadly destroying angel (Amanita verna) is similar in appearance to edible button mushrooms and meadow mushrooms and has been collected by mistake on numerous occasions. The death cap (Amanita phalloides) is another example, as it closely resembles edible straw mushrooms and Caesar's mushrooms.

It is important to note that there are no general identifiers for poisonous mushrooms, and old beliefs about their defining features are unreliable. While the majority of mushroom poisonings are not fatal, it is crucial to seek medical attention if you suspect mushroom poisoning, as some toxins can cause serious and permanent organ damage or even death.

Symptoms of orellanine poisoning are similar to the flu, followed by kidney failure

Orellanine is a mycotoxin found in a group of mushrooms known as the Orellani within the family Cortinariaceae. It was first discovered in 1952 after a mass poisoning incident in Konin, Poland, where 11 people died out of 102 who were poisoned. Poisonings related to these mushrooms have occurred predominantly in Europe, although cases have also been reported in North America and Australia.

The first symptoms of orellanine poisoning are similar to the common flu, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, headaches, and myalgia. These symptoms usually appear after a long latency period of 2 to 14 days after ingestion. The latent period decreases with the quantity of mushrooms consumed.

Following the initial flu-like symptoms, those suffering from orellanine poisoning will experience the early stages of kidney failure, including immense thirst, frequent urination, and pain in and around the kidneys. Eventually, urine output decreases or stops altogether, leading to further symptoms of kidney failure. If left untreated, death will occur.

Orellanine is unique among known mushroom toxins in that it is the only one to selectively target the kidney, causing acute kidney injury (AKI) in humans when ingested. The toxin is found in all parts of the mushroom but is more concentrated in the caps. Orellanine is resistant to boiling, freezing, and drying, so toxicity is not affected by conventional cooking and storage conditions. There is currently no known antidote for orellanine poisoning, and complete recovery of renal function is achieved in only 30% of poisoned patients.

Explore related products

Dot Graph Paper Notebook: High Quality The Unofficial Vintage Flight Toxic Garden Mushrooms Personal Forest Running Pattern Guitar On Organizer Black ... White List Blank Ruled Composition Journal

$7.95

Orellanine is resistant to boiling, freezing, and drying, and is therefore dangerous

Orellanine is a mycotoxin found in a group of mushrooms known as the Orellani within the family Cortinariaceae. It was first discovered in 1952 after a mass poisoning incident in Konin, Poland, where 11 people died. Since then, poisonings related to these mushrooms have occurred predominantly in Europe, although cases have also been reported in North America and Australia.

Orellanine is resistant to boiling, freezing, and drying, and therefore, toxicity is not likely to be affected by conventional cooking and storage conditions. This makes it particularly dangerous, as even cooked or dried mushrooms containing orellanine can still be toxic. The toxin is found in all parts of the mushroom, but it is more concentrated in the caps compared to the stems, roots, and spores. It constitutes 0.9-1.4% of the mushroom's dry weight.

The primary mushroom genus that contains orellanine is Cortinarius, which includes species such as C. orellanus, rubellus, henrici, rainerensis, and bruneofulvus. Poisonings from these mushrooms can be severe, and there have been cases of renal failure and even death. The toxin causes acute kidney injury, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, headaches, and myalgia. These initial symptoms are followed by early signs of kidney failure, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and pain in and around the kidneys.

Orellanine's resistance to heat and freezing temperatures makes it a significant concern for those consuming wild mushrooms, as traditional cooking methods cannot eliminate the toxin. It is important to properly identify mushrooms before consumption and seek medical attention immediately if any symptoms of orellanine poisoning occur.

Orellanine is a bipyridine N-oxide compound, structurally similar to herbicides

Orellanine is a mycotoxin found in a group of mushrooms known as the Orellani, which fall under the genus Cortinarius. It was first discovered in 1952 following a mass poisoning incident in Konin, Poland, where 11 people died out of 102 who were poisoned. Orellanine was isolated in 1962 by Stanisław Grzymala, who extracted it from the mushroom C. orellanus. It has since been found in several other species, including C. rubellus, henrici, rainerensis, and bruneofulvus. Poisonings related to these mushrooms have occurred predominantly in Europe, although cases have also been reported in North America and Australia.

Orellanine is a highly potent nephrotoxin, causing both delayed and acute kidney injury. The first symptoms of orellanine poisoning are similar to the common flu, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, headaches, and myalgia. These are followed by early-stage kidney failure symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination, and pain in and around the kidneys. Eventually, decreased or non-existent urine output and other symptoms of kidney failure occur, and death will follow if left untreated. The mechanism of orellanine's toxicity is not yet fully understood, but it likely targets cellular processes found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It has been found to inhibit the synthesis of biomolecules such as proteins, RNA, and DNA, and promote non-competitive inhibition of several enzymes.

There is currently no known antidote for orellanine poisoning. Treatment consists mainly of supportive care and hemodialysis, if needed. Complete recovery of renal function is achieved in only 30% of poisoned patients. However, there are reports of improved clinical outcomes with the use of corticosteroids and antioxidants.

Frequently asked questions