Amanita phalloides poisoning: one harvest, three outcomes

Summary The case study is to alert all health care workers and the public alike to the dangers of ingesting wild mushrooms. We describe an incidence of Amanita phalloides poisoning in Johannesburg, South Africa, where three different outcomes were experienced. A pregnant mother recovered with conser...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:South African journal of surgery Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 61 - 64
Main Authors: Pillay Mauree, A, De Maayer, T, Botes, A, Fabian, J, Etheredge, H, Duncan, EM, Botha, J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: South African Sports Medicine Association 01.03.2019
Subjects:
Liver transplantation
Penicillin G
Poisoning
Pregnant women
South Africa
ISSN:0038-2361, 2078-5151
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Summary The case study is to alert all health care workers and the public alike to the dangers of ingesting wild mushrooms. We describe an incidence of Amanita phalloides poisoning in Johannesburg, South Africa, where three different outcomes were experienced. A pregnant mother recovered with conservative management while her unborn foetus died, and her three-year-old daughter required an emergency liver transplant. We outline the clinical course, management options and principles of mushroom identification and toxicology to increase awareness of the presence of Amanita phalloides and its toxic relatives in South Africa. We highlight that early recognition, prompt treatment and referral to a transplant service is life-saving.
ISSN:0038-2361
2078-5151
DOI:10.17159/2078-5151/2018/v56n4a2891