Intoxication with Mushroom Cortinarius orellanus

Overview

The authors present the case-records of three patients who became intoxicated with the mushroom Cortinariusorellanus. This mushroom is very rare in this country and is not well known. The toxin orellanin is solely nephrotoxicand renal affection can lead to acute renal failure.A specific feature of this intoxication is the symptom-free period from 2 to 21 days, gastrointestinal complaintsassociated with back pain. The diagnosis can be established from a mycological analysis or by estimation of toxinin serum or tissue obtained by renal biopsy. The basis of treatment is disposal of the toxin by extracorporealelimination methods: haemodialysis and haemoperfusion. As with the length of the interval between intoxicationand onset of treatment the probability of irreversible renal affection increases, the medical community should takeinto consideration possible intoxication with this mushroom in the differential diagnosis of acute renal failure.

Key words:
intoxication, mushroom, Cortinarius orellanus.