Citation

Klein AS, Hart J, Brems JJ, Goldstein L, Lewin K, Busuttil RW. Am. J. Med. 1989; 86(2): 187-193.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, UCLA School of Medicine.

Comment In:

Am J Med. 1989 Jun;86(6 Pt 1):641

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2643869

Abstract

Fatal mushroom poisoning has long been recognized as a major health problem in western Europe and more recently in the United States. The majority of deaths are attributable to the genus Amanita. Amanita phalloides (death cap) has been found with increasing frequency across the United States and presents a significant health hazard in this country to those who pick and consume wild mushrooms. This article discusses the pharmacologic basis and clinical manifestations of Amanita intoxication. It outlines the rationale of various treatment modalities and, from these, summarizes a protocol that the authors believe will be useful to the clinician. In addition, two patients are presented who underwent successful orthotopic liver transplantation for fulminant hepatic failure secondary to Amanita poisoning. The role of liver transplantation both acutely and as treatment for chronic active hepatitis secondary to severe intoxication is discussed.

Language: en