Toxicology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Toxicology, including details on forensic toxicology, carcinogenicity, assays.

Panther cap Amanita pantherina poisoning case report and review.

Satora L, Pach D, Ciszowski K, Winnik L

Department of Clinical Toxicology, Poison Information Center, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-826 Kraków, Poland. satora@wp.pl

An analysis of patients with mushroom poisoning hospitalized in the Clinic of Toxicology in Cracow revealed that only a small percentage of cases had been caused by the death cap Amanita phalloides (Vaill. ex Fr.) Secr. The most important factors contributing to intoxication are confusion of toxic mushrooms with edible species, and non-specific mushroom poisoning. The genus Amanita has a global distribution and is one of the most well-known genera of macrofungi. Active toxins present in the panther cap (A. pantherina) (DC ex Fr.) Secr are ibotenic acid and muscimol, which are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It is likely that other substances also participate in the psychotropic effects. Five frayed panther cap fruiting bodies were eaten by mistake by two persons (27 and 47 years of age). Symptoms onset occurred after 120 min with central nervous system (CNS) depression, ataxia, waxing and waning obtundation, religious hallucinations and hyperkinetic behaviour. In the present case, successful general symptomatic treatment was administered, which consisted of controlling the nervous symptoms and stabilizing the electrolyte balance. The poisoning regressed with no organ complications.

Published 17 April 2006 in Toxicon, 47(5): 605-7.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2005-2008 Toxicology Research Today. All Rights Reserved.