Current concepts of therapy in mushroom intoxication

Amanita verna poisoning in Israel--report of a rare case out of time and place

A rare case of A. verna poisoning in Israel is presented; this occurred in mid-winter at a place hitherto free of the fungus. The unsuspecting victim sought help only after anuria had developed. Charcoal hemoperfusion and large dosages of penicillin with hemodialysis were followed by prompt recovery, despite the late start of treatment. It is suggested that such treatment is essential in A. verna poisoning, and is indicated at all stages of intoxication.

A trend in the therapy of Amanita phalloides poisoning

Recent experimental evidences have been produced on the protection afforded by penicillin G in rats poisoned by Amanita phalloides extracts. A therapeutic trend which combines penicillin G infusions to the classical supportive measures was applied to 33 cases of severe A. phalloides poisoning, with 100% survival rates. The possible mechanism of the protective effect of penicillin G in A. phalloides poisoning is discussed.

Amanita preissii "mushroom" poisoning

"Mushroom" poisoning has rarely been reported in Australia. We present six cases of Amanita preissii poisoning successfully treated with atropine sulphate. The symptoms and signs were typical of muscarinic poisoning, which suggests that this alkaloid is the principal toxic component. A short time interval between the ingestion of poisonous fungi and the onset of symptoms, in our cases within one hour, indicates a good prognosis. The dangers of mistaking poisonous for edible varieties of fungi are emphasized, particularly in relation to immigrants not conversant with Australian fungi. Public education and control of marketing are advised.

Effects of drugs on mushroom poisoning induced in the rat by Cortinarius speciosissimus

The effect of phenobarbital and phenylbutazone treatment on the renal damage induced by the toxic mushroom Cortinarius speciosissimus was studied in female rats. Phenobarbital sodium was given in drinking water (0.05% solution) for 11 days prior to the administration of mushroom. Phenylbutazone was given s.c. in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg 1 h before the mushroom administration. Homogenized mushroom was given orally by stomach tube at a dose of 250 mg dried mushroom/kg body weight. It was found that the phenobarbital treatment strongly increased the damage induced by C. speciosissimus in the tubules of the kidney cortex but had no effect on the inflammation in the renal outer medullary zone induced by this toxic mushroom. Phenylbutazone treatment had no effect on the renal damage induced by C. speciosissimus.