Mushroom Poisoning and the Laboratory's Role in Monitoring Patients
Continuing Education Credits
This course introduces the basics of mushroom poisoning and the laboratory's role in monitoring patients suspected of mushroom poisoning. The reader will be able to identify the seven major mushroom poisons and list the major symptoms associated with each poison. Summarize the treatments suggested for each of the discussed toxins and recognize the two phyla of fungi that contain mushroom species confirmed as poisonous.
Objectives
- Recognize the two phyla of fungi that contain mushroom species confirmed as poisonous.
- Identify the seven primary mushroom poisons and list the major symptoms associated with each.
- Summarize the treatments suggested for each of the discussed toxins.
- State examples of laboratory tests used to monitor patients exposed to mushroom poisoning.
Course Outline
- Prologue
- Prologue
- Prologue, continued
- Overview
- Consequences of Misidentification of Mushroom Species
- Systematic Classification of Fungi
- Historical Utilization of Mushrooms
- Mushrooms have been utilized as a food source and for medicinal purposes since:
- The majority of mushrooms that contribute to human and animal poisoning are within the phylum:
- Toxins
- Classification of Mushroom Toxins
- Group 1: Amanitin (Amatoxins)
- Group 1A: Orellanine (Delayed Kidney Damage)
- Group 2: Muscimol/Ibotenic Acid (Isoxazole Derivatives)
- Group 3: Monomethylhydrazine (Gyromitrin)
- Group 4: Muscarine
- Group 5: Coprine
- Group 6: Psilocybin (Psilocin and Other Indole Derivatives)
- Group 7: Unknown Toxins and Gastrointestinal Irritants
- Miscellaneous Syndromes
- Miscellaneous Syndromes, continued
- How many mushroom species in the phyla Basidiomycota and Ascomycota have been confirmed as poisonous?
- Treatment
- Treatment Initiation
- Presenting Examples for Identification
- Treatment: Group 1 Amanitin (Amatoxins)
- Treatment: Group 1A Orellanine (Delayed Kidney Damage)
- Treatment: Group 2 Muscimol/Ibotenic Acid (Isoxazole Derivatives)
- Treatment: Group 3 Monomethylhydrazine (Gyromitrin)
- Treatment: Group 4 Muscarine
- Treatment: Group 5 Coprine
- Treatment: Group 6 Psilocybin (Psilocin and Other Indole Derivatives)
- Treatment: Group 7 Toxins Unknown and Gastrointestinal Irritants and Miscellaneous Syndromes
- Compendium of Major Toxin Groups
- Rapid Detection Test for Amanitin
- Laboratory Involvement in Diagnosis and Treatment of Mushroom Poisoning and Other Important Information
- Laboratory Support
- Laboratory Support, continued
- Pets and Mushroom Poisoning
- Medical Mushroom Supplements
- Prevention of Mushroom Poisoning
- Match the appropriate laboratory testing for the mushroom toxin poisoning:
- References
- References
Additional Information
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical
laboratory technicians, laboratory supervisors, and laboratory managers. This
course is also appropriate for MLS and MLT students and pathology residents.
Author Information:
Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB), received his MSPH from the University of Kentucky, his PhD in medical parasitology/entomology and mycology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and his law degree with a concentration in health care law from Concord Law School, Purdue University. He also did a Fellowship in Tropical Medicine at Louisiana State University School of Medicine. He is the author of a textbook in phlebotomy, a number of scientific articles, plus internet training programs. He is licensed as a laboratory director in the State of Georgia.
Kwi Simmons, BS, MS, MLS(ASCP), received her baccalaureate degree in clinical laboratory science from Thomas University and her master’s degree in clinical molecular genetics from Northern Michigan University. She is the author of an internet program on prion diseases.
The authors have no
conflict of interest to disclose.
Reviewer Information:
Laurie Bjerklie, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, is
a Lead Education Developer. She earned a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science
from the University of North Dakota and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction
from Saint Xavier University. She has over 15 years of experience in higher
education and has held program director and faculty positions in both MLT and
MLS programs.
Amy Dellapenna, MS, M(ASCP)CM, BA, MLT(ASCP)CM, received her Master of Science in Biomedical Anthropology from Binghamton University in 2018 and her Bachelor of Arts in History from Binghamton University in 2002. She is an ASCP-certified Microbiologist with over 10 years of microbiology experience in New York State, with experience in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the Clinical Manager of the South Georgia Medical Center Microbiology department and is highly experienced in molecular assay processes, especially validations, as well as ASM bacteriology.
Course Description: This course introduces the basics of mushroom poisoning and the laboratory's role in monitoring patients suspected of mushroom poisoning. The reader will be able to identify the seven primary mushroom poisons and list the major symptoms associated with each poison. The reader will also be able to summarize the treatments suggested for each of the discussed toxins and recognize the two phyla of fungi that contain mushroom species confirmed as poisonous.