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Acute poisoning with Tricholoma equestre
Zygmunt Chodorowski1, Wojciech Waldman, Jacek Sein Anand
1Department of Internal Medicine and Toxicology, Medical University of Gdańsk, ul. Debinki 7, 80-211 Gdańsk, Poland.
Przeglad Lekarski
|August 20, 2002
Summary
Acute poisoning from the wild mushroom Tricholoma equestre can cause rhabdomyolysis. This condition, characterized by muscle breakdown, was observed in two individuals after consuming the mushroom, highlighting its potential toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Mycology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Wild mushrooms are increasingly consumed, necessitating a thorough understanding of their potential toxicity.
- Tricholoma equestre, a widely distributed edible mushroom, has been anecdotally linked to adverse health effects.
- Previous research suggested a potential toxin in T. equestre, but clinical evidence remained limited.
Observation:
- Two cases of acute poisoning involving a mother and son who consumed significant quantities of Tricholoma equestre over nine consecutive meals are presented.
- Symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, myalgia, nausea, and sweating, manifested approximately 48 hours after the last mushroom ingestion.
- Severe elevation in serum creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were observed, indicative of significant muscle and liver damage.
Findings:
- The patients exhibited markedly elevated serum creatine kinase levels (up to 48,136 U/L) and liver enzymes (AST up to 2002 U/L, ALT up to 454 U/L).
- Rhabdomyolysis was confirmed, with no other identifiable causes such as infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma, or medication exposure.
- All clinical symptoms and biochemical abnormalities resolved within 23 days of hospitalization, supporting a direct toxic effect from T. equestre.
Implications:
- This case study provides strong clinical evidence that Tricholoma equestre contains a toxin capable of inducing rhabdomyolysis in humans.
- The findings underscore the importance of accurate mushroom identification and cautioning the public about the potential dangers of consuming wild mushrooms, even those traditionally considered edible.
- Further research into the specific toxin(s) within T. equestre and their mechanisms of action is warranted to better understand and prevent this type of poisoning.