Toxic Fungi of Western North America

by Thomas J. Duffy, MD

Getting Started

For cases in which Amanita phalloides or other deadly amatoxic fungi are suspected, go at once to the section titled Guide to the identification of mushroom poisoning by symptoms and, if appropriate, The amatoxic group. For a thumbnail guide to the treatment of amatoxins, go to the end of the discussion on amatoxins to Outline and summary of treatment for poisoning by amatoxins.

To read this paper, start with the Table of Contents, below. To navigate you may use the Previous Page — Contents — References — Glossary — Next Page menu that is at the bottom of each page. Within the text, linked mushroom names go to a description and photographs of the mushroom at The Fungi of California. These will open in a new browser window.

If you click on the in-line photographs, you will usually be taken to a MUCH larger version of the photograph. Sometimes you will also see a photo icon ( Photo ) which will take you to a photograph of the mushroom being discussed. In both cases, use your browser "back" function to return to the part you are reading. Clicking on the end-note numbers [e.g. (45), (206)] will take you to the appropriate section of the References page.

Contents

    Introductory Material


  1. Dedication, Preface, & Acknowledgements
  2. Introduction and collection of specimens
  3. General overview of mushroom poisonings
  4. Ecology and general anatomy of fungi
  5. Description and habitat of Amanita phalloides and Amanita ocreata
  6. History of Amanita ocreata and Amanita phalloides in the West
  7. The classical history of Amanita phalloides and related species
  8. Mushroom poisoning case registry
  9. “Look-Alike” mushrooms
  10. Identification aids
  11. Guidelines for pot-hunters
  12. Insecticides and other toxic sprays
  13. Guide to the identification of mushroom poisoning by symptoms

    14. Group I toxins: Amatoxins


  14. The amatoxic group
  15. Ethnicity and amanitin poisoning
  16. Toxins of Amanita phalloides, other amatoxic Amanita and amatoxic species in the genera Lepiota, Galerina and Conocybe
  17. The Wieland-Meixner qualitative test for amatoxins
  18. The pathologic picture of amanitins
  19. Pregnancy and amanitin poisoning
  20. Fatality rates from selected studies published since 1970
  21. Evaluation of amanitin treatment
  22. Prognostic indicators for likely fatality
  23. The clinical course of amanitin poisoning
  24. Detailed treatment of amanitin poisoning
  25. Outline and summary of treatment for poisoning by amatoxins

    26. Group II toxins: Ibotenic Acid/Muscimol


  26. Isoxazole poisoning from Amanita muscaria & Amanita pantherina (pantherine syndrome)
  27. Toxins of the ibotenic acid/muscimol group (pantherine poisoning)
  28. Symptoms of ibotenic/muscimol poisoning (isoxazol poisoning)
  29. Treatment of ibotenic acid/muscimole poisoning

    30. Group III toxins: Amanita smithiana


  30. Amanita smithiana poisoning & unclassified renal/hepatic toxicity
  31. Clinical picture, presumed toxin and treatment

    32. Group IV toxins: Orellanine


  32. Delayed renal failure with Cortinarius species
  33. The genus Cortinarius in general
  34. Toxins of Cortinarius orellanus
  35. Clinical course and treatment

    36. Group V toxins: Gyromitrin


  36. Gyromitrin group
  37. Gyromitrin toxins
  38. The clinical picture of gyromitrin poisoning
  39. Treatment of gyromitrin toxicity

    40. Group VI toxins: Paxillus involutus


  40. Autoimmune hemolysis with Paxillus involutus

    41. Group VII toxins: Muscarine


  41. The muscarine group toxins
  42. General description and occurrence
  43. The clinical picture of muscarine poisoning
  44. Treatment of muscarine poisoning

    45. Group VIII toxins: Hallucinogenic indoles (psilocybin)


  45. The "New World" history of psilocybin containing mushrooms
  46. Taxonomic and legal problems
  47. General description and occurrence
  48. Psilocybin and psilocin toxins
  49. The clinical picture of psilocybin toxicity
  50. Treatment of psilocybin toxicity

    51. Group IX toxins: Coprine


  51. Disulfiram-like reactions to alcohol

    52. Group X toxins: Gastrointestinal irritants, toxins and idiosyncrasies


  52. GI reactions due to fungi usually considered edible
  53. Mushrooms known for their GI toxins or irritants

    54. Group XI toxins: Miscellaena
  54. Miscellaneous toxins

    55. Addendums, Glossary, & References


  55. Addendum 1: Scientific names and the conventions used in the text
  56. Addendum 2: Fungal nomenclature, fungal taxonomy, and effect on fungal names
  57. Glossary
  58. References