Mushroom Poisoning and the Laboratory's Role in Monitoring Patients

Authors: Garland E. Pendergraph, PhD, JD, MLS(ASCP)SM, HCLD/CC(ABB) and Kwi Simmons, BS, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Reviewer: Amy Dellapenna, MS, M(ASCP)CM BA, MLT(ASCP)CM
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Continuing Education Credits

P.A.C.E.® Contact Hours: 1 hour(s)

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE Credit Hours

Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Science CE - General (Clinical Chemistry/UA/Toxicology): 1 hour(s)

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This course introduces the reader to 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

  • Recall the average number of adverse mushroom exposures per year in the United States.
  • 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
    • The Consequences of Misidentification of Mushroom Species
    • The 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 1: A—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
    • Treatment - Presenting Examples of the Mushroom for Identification
    • Treatment - Group 1—Amanitin (Amatoxins)
    • Treatment - Group 1-A—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
  • References
    • References

Additional Information

Level of Instruction:  Basic
Intended Audience: Medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, microbiologists, and others interested in mycology. 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 in 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.
Reviewer Information: 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 reader to 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.