Photo Credit: Varunee Somwat
The following is a summary of “Increasing incidence of mycotoxicosis in South-Eastern Germany: a comprehensive analysis of mushroom poisonings at a University Medical Center,” published in the December 2024 issue of Gastroenterology by Stöckert et al.
Mushroom poisonings, caused by misidentifying toxic species, are a notable clinical challenge. Climate change affects mushroom distribution and toxicity, increasing the risk for individuals.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to assess trends and treatment outcomes of mushroom poisonings.
They evaluated 43 individuals with mushroom poisoning (2005–2022), identifying mushroom species and monitoring liver damage (transaminases), coagulation (international normalized ratio, or INR), and renal function (creatinine). Clinical outcomes, including hepatic encephalopathy, were analyzed, and the impact of climate change on mushroom poisoning incidents was explored.
The results showed that while the incidence of mushroom poisoning remained stable for the first 8 years, it nearly doubled over the last 9 years, 9 distinct mushroom species were involved in the poisonings. Plasmapheresis was used to stabilize coagulation parameters (INR) and mitigate the inflammatory response in cases of severe liver damage accompanied by coagulopathy. This intervention-controlled bleeding complications, and plasmapheresis was conducted until the INR reached stable levels. In instances where liver failure was irreversible, plasmapheresis served as a bridging therapy to manage bleeding chances and stabilize individuals while awaiting liver transplantation.
They concluded that increased awareness of mushroom poisoning, the role of plasmapheresis in severe cases, and the potential impact of climate change on mushroom toxicity and distribution are essential for effective management.
Source: bmcgastroenterol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12876-024-03550-y
