Mushroom poisoning from species of genus Inocybe (fiber head mushroom): a case series with exact species identification

Abstract

Background. Many species of the genus Inocybe (family Cortinariaceae, higher Basidiomycetes) are muscarine-containing mycorrhizal mushrooms, ubiquitous around the world. The few published reports on the poisonous Inocybe mushrooms are often limited by the inadequate identification of the species. The clinical course of patients with typical muscarinic manifestations, in whom Inocybe spp. was unequivocally identified, is reported. Case series. Between November 2006 and January 2008 14 consecutive patients with typical muscarinic syndrome after mushroom ingestion were recorded. The clinical manifestations included combinations of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, diaphoresis, tachycardia, bradycardia, hypotension, lacrimation, blurred vision, miosis, tremor, restlessness, flushing, and syncope. Time to onset of toxicity ranged between 15 min and 2 h after consumption, 5 h in one patient. Treatment was supportive, including intravenous fluids, antiemetics, and 1 mg atropine intravenously. Full recovery ensued within 12 h. In all the cases, an expert mycologist unequivocally identified the leftovers of the consumed mushrooms as Inocybe fastigiata, Inocybe geophylla, and Inocybe patouillardii. Conclusion. In this case series of patients who ingested identified muscarine-containing mushrooms supportive treatment and atropine resulted in recovery in all cases.

Key words:

• Inocybe
• Mushroom
• Muscarine
• Poisoning
• Fiber head mushroom

Acknowledgment

We thank Dr. Bianca Raikhlin-Eisenkraft of the Israel Poison Information Center for reviewing the manuscript and for her valuable comments.

Notes

The study was presented at the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology, Toronto, Canada, September 2008.