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Can morels (Morchella sp.) induce a toxic neurological syndrome?
Philippe Saviuc1, Patrick Harry, Corine Pulce
1Toxicovigilance Center, Michallon Hospital, Grenoble, France. PSaviuc@chu-grenoble.fr <PSaviuc@chu-grenoble.fr>
Introduction:
Several cases of morel poisoning associated with neurological symptoms have been reported. The objective of this study was to describe this new mushroom poisoning syndrome.
Material And Methods:
Retrospective study of morel poisonings collected in the French Poison Control Centers from 1976 to 2006. Cases were classified as neurological syndrome (NS; tremor or dizziness/inebriation or unsteadiness/ataxia +/- associated with gastrointestinal symptoms) or isolated gastrointestinal syndrome.
Results:
146 patients presented gastrointestinal syndrome (median time to onset: 5 h) and 129 presented NS (12 h) after morel consumption. Gastrointestinal (67%) and other neurological symptoms were also present (mainly ocular/vision disorders: 26%, paresthesia: 7%, drowsiness/confusion: 6%, and muscle disorders: 6%). These patients more frequently ingested a large quantity of morels. Confusion with Gyromitra was ruled out.
Discussion:
The NS is very different from the common gastrointestinal syndrome occurring after ingestion of poorly cooked morels and is not limited to a cerebellar syndrome.
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