Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica

Publication date: 2014-09-01
Volume: 77 Pages: 353 - 356
Publisher: Acta Medica Belgica

Author:

Vanooteghem, Sofie
Arts, Joris ; Decock, S ; Pieraerts, P ; Meersseman, Wouter ; Verslype, Chris ; Van Hootegem, Philippe

Keywords:

Aged, Amanita, Female, Humans, Liver Failure, Acute, Middle Aged, Mushroom Poisoning, Science & Technology, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Gastroenterology & Hepatology, amanita phalloides, mushroom poisoning, acute liver failure, 1103 Clinical Sciences, 3202 Clinical sciences

Abstract:

Mushroom poisoning by Amanita phalloides is a rare but potentially fatal disease. The initial symptoms of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea, which are typical for the intoxication, can be interpreted as a common gastro-enteritis. The intoxication can progress to acute liver and renal failure and eventually death. Recognizing the clinical syndrome is extremely important. In this case report, 4 patients with amatoxin intoxication who showed the typical clinical syndrome are described. The current therapy of amatoxin intoxication is based on small case series, and no ran- domised controlled trials are available. The therapy of amatoxin intoxication consists of supportive care and medical therapy with silibinin and N-acetylcysteine. Patients who develop acute liver failure should be considered for liver transplantation.