Mushroom Poisoning

Basics

Description

Amanitin/phalloidin:
- Species:
  - Amanita phalloides (“death cap”)
  - Amanita virosa/Amanita verna (“destroying angel”)
  - Galerina marginata, Galerina venenata
- Mechanism:
  - Cyclopeptide toxins inhibit RNA polymerase 2, which kills GI epithelium, hepatocytes, nephrocytes
Gyromitrin:
- Species:
  - Gyromitra esculenta (“false morels”)
  - Other Gyromitra spp.
- Mechanism:
  - Gyromitrin hydrolyzed to monomethylhydrazine
  - Inhibits pyridoxal phosphate
  - Results in decreased GABA production
  - Damage to RBCs, hepatocytes, neurons
Muscarine:
- Species:
  - Inocybe (several species)
  - Clitocybe (several species)
  - Boletus sp.
  - Rubinoboletus sp.
- Mechanism:
  - Muscarine acts like acetylcholine resulting in parasympathomimetic symptoms
Coprine:
- Species:
  - Coprinus atramentarius (“inky caps”)
- Mechanism:
  - Blocks acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
  - Causes disulfiram-like reaction if mixed with alcohol
Ibotenic acid/muscimol:
- Species:
  - Amanita pantherina (“panther cap”)
  - Amanita muscaria (“fly agaric”)
  - Amanita ibotengutake (Japanese Ringed-Bulb)
- Mechanism:
  - Ibotenic acid is derivative of glutamate
  - Muscimol is GABA derivative
Psilocin/psilocybin:
- Species:
  - Psilocybe and Panaeolus spp. as well as others
  - Stalks may turn blue upon handling, nonspecific
- Mechanism:
  - Similar structure to lysergic acid diethylamide, effect serotonin receptor
Gastric irritants:
- Many various mushrooms, including those normally considered edible
Orellanine:
- Species:
  - Cortinarius (several species)
- Mechanism:
  - Direct renal toxicity
Neurovascular toxins
- Species:
  - Clitocybe amoenolens (Poison Dwarf Bamboo mushroom)
  - Clitocybe acromelalgia
- Mechanism:
  - Acromelic acids A-E, Kainate analogs, peripheral glutamate receptors
Myotoxin
- Species:
  - Tricholoma equestre (Yellow Knight, “man on horse”)
- Mechanism unknown, induces rhabdomyolysis

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