A 15-year-old male presents symptomatic several hours after inhaling spores of this mushroom as a home remedy for epistaxis. What is the presentation and pathophysiology of the toxic syndrome associated with this mushroom?
For a video of this mushroom in action: https://youtu.be/G_DXTlvvsco
- Dyspnea and cough from hypersensitivity alveolitis
- Flushing, nausea and vomiting from acetaldehyde accumulation
- Nausea, vomiting and hepatoxicity from RNA synthetase inhibition
- Seizures from reduced GABA production in the central nervous system
This post has been reviewed on behalf of ACMT by Brent Furbee, Bryan Judge, and Louise Kao.
References
- Rubensohn M. Inhalation pneumonitis in a dog from spores of puffball mushrooms. Can Vet J. 2009;50(1):93. PMID 19337622
- Burk WR. Puffball Usages Among North American Indians. J Ethnobiol. 1983;3(1):55-62.
- Strand RD, Neuhauser EB, Sornberger CF. Lycoperdonosis. N Engl J Med. 1967;277(2):89-91. PMID 6027138
- Diaz JH. A Puff of Spores. Wilderness Environ Med. 2018;29(1):119-122. PMID 28964695
- Goldfrank LR. Mushrooms. In: Nelson LS & Goldfrank LR et al eds: Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies 11th edition. 2019: New York: McGraw Hill Education.
- Centers for Disease C, Prevention. Respiratory illness associated with inhalation of mushroom spores–Wisconsin, 1994. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1994;43(29):525-526.