AMATOXIN MUSHROOM TOXICITY

Course overview

AMATOXIN CONTAINING MUSHROOMS ARE A RARE BUT SIGNIFICANT CAUSE OF ACUTE FULMINANT LIVER FAILURE. HOWEVER, NOT ALL AMANITA SPECIES HAVE THIS TOXIN, AND OTHER MUSHROOM SPECIES BESIDES AMANITA HAVE THE AMATOXIN. (TABLE) NINETY-FIVE PERCENT OF DEATHS FROM MUSHROOM INGESTIONS WORLDWIDE ARE FROM AMATOXIN-CONTAINING MUSHROOMS. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, PRESENTATION, AND DIAGNOSIS OF AMATOXIN MUSHROOM TOXICITY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE PATIENTS.