MUSHROOM POISONING: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND REPORT OF TWO CASES CAUSED BY A PREVIOUSLY UNDESCRIBED SPECIES

Abstract

Two cases of mushroom poisoning by a previously undescr. specimen of the genus Galerina are reported. One patient suffered severe damage to the gastrointestinal, renal, cardiovascular, hepatic, and central nervous systems, including a complete adynamic ileus, followed by recovery. The disease, while not common in Great Britain and the U. S. is prevalent throughout the world and especially on the European continent. Amanita phalloides and A. muscaria are the most common causes of poisoning. A. phalloides produces severe damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system and is responsible for most of the fatalities. Recent work concerning the crystallization of small cyclic polypeptides from A. phalloides is briefly reviewed.