The toxicology of Amanita phalloides

Abstract

This paper examines the biology and medical consequences of ingesting the potential lethal poisonous mushroom, Amanita phalloides, the Death Cap. The organism is a fungus, its structure, distribution and toxic components are described. Symptoms of human poisoning by Am. phalloides are described, following the order of Homeopathic Repertories.

Keywords

Amanita phalloides - Death Cap - fungi - Materia Medica Homœopathica - poisonous mushrooms - toxicology

• References

• 1 Smith AH. The Mushroom Hunter's Field Guide Revised and Enlarged. 1958. 264pp+187 colour illustrations.
• 2 Heiohelheim FM, Yeo CA. A History of the Roman People. Englewood Cliffs NJ: Prentice-Hall.; Inc., 1962.
• 3 Blond A. A Scandalous History of the Roman Emperors. Ltd., 1994.
• 4 Olson KR, Pond SB, Seward J. et al. Amanita phalloides—type mushroom poisoning. West. J. Med. 1982; 137: 282-289.
• 5 Pigrau C, Martinez-Vázquez JM, Piqueras J. Intoxicación por Amanita phalloides. Med. Clin. 1984; 83: 342-345.
• 6 Hamilton AG. Clouded agarics. Br Med J 1981; 282: 825.
• 7 Bold HC, Alexopoulos CJ, Delevoryas T. Morphology of Plants and Fungi4th edn. New York: Harper & Row Publishers; 1980: 819pp.
• 8 Brown RW. Composition of Scientific Words. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press; 1956.
• 9 Bradford TL. Index to Homœopathic Provings. Philadelohia: Boericke & Tafel; 1901.
• 10 Faulstich H. New aspects of Amanita poisoning. Klin Wochenschr 1979; 57: 1143-1152.
• 11 Cooper MR, Johnson AW. Poisonous Plants & Fungi,,, An Illustrated Guide. London: The Stationary Office; 1988. p. 113–114.
• 12 Costantino D, Falzi G, Langer M. et al. Amanita phalloides related nephropathy. Contrib Neohrol 1978; 10: 84-97.
• 13 Svrcek M. The Illustrated Book of Mushrooms and Fungi. Prague: Octopus Books; 1983.
• 14 Cole FM. A puppy death and Amanita phalloides. Aust Vet J 1993; 70: 271-272.
• 15 Mitchel DH. Amanita mushroom poisoning. Ann Rev Med 1980; 31: 51-57.
• 16 Wieland T, Faulstick H. Amatoxins, phallotoxins, phallolysin and antaminide: the biologically active components of poisonous Amanita mushrooms. CRC Crit Rev Biochem 1978; 5: 185-260.
• 17 Bartoloni St, Omer F, Omer F. et al. Amanita poisoning: a clinical—histopathological study of 64 cases of intoxication. Hepato-gastroenterology 1985; 32: 229-231.
• 18 Enjalbert F, Gallion C, Jehl F. et al. Toxin content, phallotoxin and amatoxin composition of Amanita phalloides tissue. Toxicon 1993; 31: 803-807.
• 19 Wieland T. Poisonous principles of mushrooms of the genus Amanita. Science 1968; 59: 948-952.
• 20 Busi C, Fiume L, Costantino D. et al. Amanita toxins in gastroduodenal fluid of patients poisoned by the mushroom Amanita phalloides. N Engl J Med 1979; 300: 800.
• 21 Becker CE, Tong TG, Boerner V. et al. Diagnosis and treatment of Amanita phalloides—type mushroom poisoning. West J Med 1976; 125: 100-109.
• 22 Bourgeois F, Bourgeois N, Gelin M. et al. Hépatite aiguë et intoxication à I'amanite phalloı̈de. Acta Gastoenterol Belgica 1992; 55: 358-363.
• 23 Cappell MS, Hassan T. Gastrointestinal and hepatic effects of Amanita phalloides ingestion. ” J Clin Gastroenterol 1992; 15: 225-228.
• 24 Pertile N, Galliani E, Vergerio A. et al. Sindrome falloidea. Descrizione di un case in una bambina di due anni. Pediatr Med Chirurgica 1990; 12: 411-414.
• 25 Sanz P, Reig R, Borrás L. Disseminated intravascular coagulation and mesenteric venous thrombosis in fatal Amanita poisoning. Hum Toxicol 1988; 7: 199-201.
• 26 Hanelin LG, Moss AA. Roentgenographic features of mushroom (Amanita) poisoning. Am J Roentgenol Rad Ther Nucl Med 1975; 125: 782-787.
• 27 Teutsch C, Brennan RW. Amanita mushroom poisoning with recovery from coma: a case report. Ann Neurol (Am Neurol Assoc) 1978; 3: 177-179.
• 28 Blather, F, Amanite phalloı̈de, http://oerso.club-internet.fr/ciccone/amanitaohallo.htm, 2001.
• 29 Harrison DC, Coggins CH, Welland CH. et al. Mushroom poisoning in five patients. Am J Med 1965; 38: 787-792.
• 30 Belliardo F, Massano G, Accomo S. Amatoxins do not cross the placental barrier. Lancet 1983; 1: 1381.
• 31 Dolfi F, Gonnella R. Intossicazione acuta da amanita phalloide nel second trimestre di gravidanza. Minerva Anestesiol 1994; 60: 153-154.
• 32 Van Cauter J, Quarre JP, Demay M. et al. Intoxication familiale par amanite phalloı̈de. Acta Gastoenterol Belgica 1984; 47: 47-54.
• 33 Schroyens F. Synthesis Repertorium Homeopathicum Syntheticum. London: Homeo.Book Publications; 1993.
• 34 Kent JT. Repertory of the Homoeopathic Materia Medica and a Word Index. London: Homœo Book Service; 1986.