Epidemiology and clinics of mushroom poisoning in Northern Italy: A 21-year retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND

Limited information exists about epidemiology and management of mushroom poisoning. We analyzed and described epidemiology, clinical presentation, and clinical course of mushroom-poisoned patients admitted to emergency departments (EDs) of the Province of Parma, Italy.

METHODS

Data from the database of mycological service were matched with clinical information retrieved from hospitals' database, from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2016.

RESULTS

Mycologist consultation was obtained in 379/443 identified mushroom poisonings. A remarkable seasonality was found, with significant peak in autumn. Thanks to the collaboration, the implicated species could be identified in 397 cases (89.6%); 108 cases (24.4%) were due to edible mushrooms, Boletus edulis being the most represented (63 cases). Overall, 408 (92%) cases presented with gastrointestinal toxicity. Twenty cases of amatoxin poisoning were recorded (11 Amanita phalloides and 9 Lepiota brunneoincarnata). One liver transplantation was needed. We observed 13 cases of cholinergic toxicity and 2 cases of hallucinogenic toxicity. Finally, 46 cases were due to "mixed" toxicities, and a total of 69 needed hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Early identification and management of potentially life-threatening cases is challenging in the ED, so that a mycologist service on call is highly advisable, especially during periods characterized by the highest incidence of poisoning.