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Lethality Bioassay Using Artemia salina L.
Published on: October 11, 2022
[Mushroom poisoning in Portugal]
José Luís Brandão1, J Pinheiro, D Pinho
1Serviço de Medicina Intensiva, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, CHP, Porto, Portugal.
Acta Medica Portuguesa
|August 2, 2012
Summary
Acute mushroom poisoning is a growing concern, with hepatotoxic syndromes causing significant mortality. This study analyzed 93 cases in Portugal, identifying key diagnostic indicators and proposing a decision-making approach.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Context:
- Growing culinary use of wild mushrooms increases mycetism risk.
- International literature on mushroom poisoning is often outdated and insufficient for clinical practice.
- The prevalence and characteristics of mushroom poisoning in Portugal remain largely unknown.
Purpose:
- To provide an updated epidemiological and clinical perspective on mushroom poisoning in Portugal.
- To analyze clinical presentation, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches for acute mushroom poisoning.
- To develop a national diagnostic decision-making diagram.
Summary:
- Analysis of 93 acute mushroom poisoning cases (1990-2008) in Portugal revealed a bimodal seasonal pattern and affected all age groups.
- Hepatotoxic syndromes accounted for 63.4% of cases, with an 11.8% mortality rate.
- Key diagnostic and prognostic indicators include the timing and levels of prothrombin time, AST (TGO), and bilirubin.
Impact:
- Highlights the need for increased clinical suspicion and knowledge of mushroom poisoning syndromes.
- Proposes a diagnostic algorithm to aid healthcare professionals in Portugal.
- Emphasizes the importance of detailed patient history, particularly the latency period, for accurate diagnosis.
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