MUSHROOMS INTOXICATIONS

Abstract

Purpose: To perform a retrospective analysis of mushroom poisonings in Varna region for 25 years (1991-2015). Mushroom poisonings account for 10.7% of hospitalizations associated with acute exogenous intoxication. Poisoning with Amanita phalloides, Amanita pantherina, Amanita muscaria and various fungi that cause only gastrointestinal symptoms are of greatest importance for the clinical toxicology in the Republic of Bulgaria. Material/Methods: Objects of the study were 1872 patients who received treatment at the Clinic for Intensive Treatment of Acute Intoxications and Toxicoallergies, Naval Hospital – Varna, Military Medical Academy, Bulgaria after eating mushrooms. Results: Patients with irritative gastroenteritis – 1703 (91%) were with the highest frequency, followed by those with Amanita phalloides intoxication - 147 (7.8%). Amanita phalloides poisonings are not common and have a low relative share to all mushroom intoxications, but they are characterized by severe course and high lethality. Poisonings with Amanita pantherina and Amanita muscaria are even less common – 22 (1.2%). Patients accepted for treatment were both male (50.5%) and female (49.5%). Patients in age between 25 and 60 years were prevalent – 1171 (62.6%). A fatal outcome was registered in only 25 patients with Amanita phalloides intoxications, which represents 17% of all patients with Amanita phalloides poisoning and 1.3% of all patients with mushroom intoxications. Conclusion: Mushroom poisonings causing irritant gastroenterocolitis and those with Amanita pantherina and Amanita muscaria have a good prognosis. Amanita phalloides intoxications are characterized by the development of life-threatening organ damages and high lethality.

Keywords

• mushroom poisoning
• Amanita phaloides
• Amanita pantherina
• Amanita muscaria