DOI: 10.12890/2021_002212

The Deceptive Mushroom: Accidental Amanita muscaria Poisoning

Authors

  • Francesca Irene Rampolli Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Switzerland
  • Premila Kamler Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Switzerland
  • Claudio Carnevale Carlino Department of Internal Medicine, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Switzerland
  • Francesca Bedussi Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacological Sciences of Southern Switzerland, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Switzerland

fi.rampolli@gmail.com

Keywords

Amanita muscaria, poisoning, ibotenic acid, muscimol, coma

Abstract

Amanita muscaria is considered to be one of the most remarkable and beautiful mushrooms. It has a red or orange cap covered with small white plaques and its distinctive appearance makes accidental and severe intoxication very rare. Its consumption is sometimes used as a means of suicide or it can be consumed for its psychedelic effects, and in some cases, it can be mistaken for edible species. In this paper, we will discuss a patient who fell into a coma after accidental Amanita muscaria poisoning. Rapid identification of the mushroom allowed the regression of symptoms and discharge from the hospital on the fourth day after consumption.

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References

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Published

2021-02-02

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2021)

How to Cite

1.
Rampolli FI, Kamler P, Carnevale Carlino C, Bedussi F. The Deceptive Mushroom: Accidental Amanita muscaria Poisoning. EJCRIM [Internet]. 2021 Feb. 2 [cited 2026 Sep. 27];8(2). Available from: https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/2212

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