Updated: Oct 8, 2009
Amanita muscaria, also called fly agaric or soma, and Amanita pantherina, also called panther or panther amanita, are representative of the mushrooms in the ibotenic acid and muscimol mushroom group that produce ethanol-like intoxication and jerking movements. Symptoms typically occur within 90 minutes of ingestion, last for 4-8 hours, and resolve in most cases without drug therapy.
The genus name (Amanita) and species name (muscaria) can be confusing because the names imply a type of toxin, whereas the true toxins might not be obvious. The toxin muscarine produces muscarinic pharmacologic effects (eg, salivation, bradycardia, diarrhea, miosis); this toxin was first extracted from A muscaria in 1869, but it is not a significant toxin in A muscaria. Ibotenic acid and muscimol are the major toxins in this mushroom; these substances are psychoactive, inducing a state of intoxication similar to that induced by ethanol, with a mix of excitation, sedation, and mild hallucinations. Although this mushroom is in the genus Amanita, it does not contain amatoxin, which is responsible for the serious and life-threatening nature of cyclopeptide-type mushroom poisoning.
Amanita muscaria is also known as fly agaric based on the olden European practice of sprinkling the mushrooms in milk as an insecticide to kill flies presumably due to the actions of ibotenic acid.
Several general types of mushrooms can cause poisoning:1,2,3
A classification of 14 syndromic categories of mushroom poisoning has been proposed, but this classification system has yet to be widely adopted.4,5
Mushrooms in the ibotenic acid group are commonly found throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. They are found in wooded areas, especially among conifer forests, in the spring and fall seasons of North America. The young specimens emerge with patches of membrane left covering the cap and forming a cup (volva) at the base. The mature specimens often have brilliant cap colors and delicate skirts and cups. Many everyday representations of mushrooms depict the A muscaria because of its shape and bright coloring.
Mushroom poisoning in children is an infrequent but perennial problem for parents and clinicians. Parental anxiety is generally high because of fears of unknown or untoward effects. Clinicians are challenged to identify such poisonings, to discern whether poisoning has taken place, to order appropriate diagnostic studies, and to prescribe reasonable therapy. The varied nature of mushroom toxicities, their ubiquitous distribution, and the relative infrequency of the ingestions make the task difficult.
Dried mushrooms have been promoted on the Internet because of their various properties, and their ingestion might lead to serious toxicity from the mushroom or from unknown adulterants added to them.6
Various cultures throughout the world have used fungi for ceremonies and for divinatory purposes, practices that date back 3000 years. In North America, the Algonquin people used A muscaria for religious and ritualistic ceremonies. In some European and Asian cultures, the urine of a person or a deer ingesting these mushrooms is consumed to achieve secondary intoxication.
A muscaria and A pantherina contain ibotenic acid, muscimol, and muscazone. These isoxazole derivatives are present in various concentrations depending on the environmental conditions, the maturity of the fungus, and the season of the year. Ibotenic acid and muscimol are relatively stable; for instance, toxic activity has been maintained in dried plants for as long as 7 years. Other toxins are likely present in these mushrooms because pure extracts of ibotenic acid or muscimol do not account for all of the symptoms observed after their ingestion. Ibotenic acid resembles glutamic acid, and, in animals, it acts on glutaminergic receptors to produce excitatory effects. Muscimol, formed by decarboxylation of ibotenic acid, is similar to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Both of these chemicals can cross the blood-brain barrier.7
Demonstrating high affinity for GABA receptors, muscimol activates GABA receptors and, thereby, can act as a sedative. Many of the CNS effects of muscimol are ascribed to its ability to act as a GABA agonist. By comparison, ibotenic acid is more of a CNS stimulant, acting on glutamic acid receptors. In humans, most of the ibotenic acid ingested is excreted unchanged in the urine. Some ibotenic acid is metabolized to muscimol. About one third of the amount of muscimol ingested is excreted unchanged, one-third is conjugated, and the rest is oxidized.7
In 2007, 7351 mushroom ingestions were reported to the National Poison Data System of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).8 Of these cases, 86% involved mushrooms of unknown type. Mushrooms containing ibotenic acid accounted for 43 cases, with 10 (23%) involving children younger than 6 years. About 67% of all cases involving ibotenic acid mushrooms were intentional ingestions and 77% were treated at a healthcare facility. One death was attributed to ibotenic acid mushrooms in 2004, whereas no deaths were reported in the preceding 12 years or subsequent 3 years of data collection by the AAPCC. The manner of confirming A muscaria involvement in this fatality was not described, and the fact that it was purchased on the Internet raises questions about the integrity of the contents.6
The incidence of all types of toxic mushroom poisonings, including those from the ibotenic acid group, appears to be increasing in Europe and Asia. Estimates of the actual incidence are not available.4,5
Fatalities from ibotenic acid-muscimol containing mushrooms are rare, and symptoms typically are mild to moderate in severity and self-limiting.
Adults are frequently involved as foragers for edible mushrooms. Because of errors in identification, they may ingest toxin-containing look-alike mushrooms. Adults and adolescents may also be poisoned when they intentionally consume mushrooms, picked from the ground or purchased dried, to achieve intoxication. Young children may be poisoned by mushrooms when they unintentionally eat mushrooms found outside, typically in yards or outdoor play areas. Reports of seizurelike activity have been reported for children but are not typical in adults.9,10
Ask the patient about how many mushrooms were consumed, how they were prepared, and when the mushrooms were eaten. The concentration of active substances is low in any one mushroom, but generally about 1 mushroom in young children and 3 or more in adolescents and adults produce toxic symptoms.10 The effects of mushrooms vary greatly, and cooking may not alter toxicity. An amount as small as a mouthful can cause symptoms.9
Once ingested, A muscaria produces symptoms within 30-90 minutes. Peak effects occur at 2-3 hours. The initial symptom is drowsiness, followed by confusion, ataxia, dizziness, euphoria, and intoxication. These symptoms can proceed to hyperkinesis, muscle jerks, spasms, and delirium. Deep sleep or coma can occur and generally lasts 4-8 hours.
Toxicity, Ethanol
Toxicity, Hallucinogens - LSD
Toxicity, Hallucinogens - PCP
Ingestions
Psilocybe species
Amanita cothurnata
Amanita smithiana
Amanita strobiliformis
Amanita gemmata
When other members of the Amanita genus are suspected
Ketamine toxicity
Meningoencephalitis
Dextromethorphan toxicity
g Hydroxybutyrate toxicity
Most patients with poisoning due to ibotenic acid mushrooms can be treated without medications. If patients are severely agitated, anxiolytics may be needed. For seizures lasting longer than 5 minutes, various anticonvulsants have been used. If the patient presents within 1 hour of ingestion, oral administration of activated charcoal may be considered,17 but adsorption to activated charcoal has not been demonstrated for these constituents.18 No evidence suggests that routine administration of multiple doses of activated charcoal is useful.
Ipecac syrup should generally be avoided because of the relatively rapid onset of CNS symptoms after ingestion of ibotenic acid mushrooms and evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. Although these mushrooms are named A muscaria, few muscarinic effects are observed and anticholinergic drugs such as atropine are rarely, if ever, needed.
Benzodiazepines are first-line agents for controlling seizures in patients with toxicity. They are also helpful in sedating patients with extreme agitation.
Useful for agitation or seizures. Depresses all levels of CNS (eg, limbic and reticular formation), possibly by increasing activity of GABA.
2.5-10 mg PO/IV/IM, may repeat every 5-10 min
0.05-0.1 mg/kg/dose PO/IV/IM
Increase CNS toxicity with coadministration of other CNS depressants (eg, phenothiazines, barbiturates, alcohols, monoamine oxidase inhibitors [MAOIs]); cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 and CYP2C19 substrate, coadministration of isoenzyme 1A2 and 2C19 inhibitors (eg, cimetidine, fluconazole, erythromycin) may decrease clearance
Documented hypersensitivity; narrow-angle glaucoma
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Respiratory depression, acute narrow-angle glaucoma may be precipitated, use with caution with impaired renal or hepatic function; may cause cardiovascular collapse, blood dyscrasias, hypotension, drowsiness, fatigue, ataxia, or confusion
Useful for agitation or seizures. By increasing action of GABA (major inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain), may depress all levels of CNS, including limbic and reticular formation.
2-4 mg PO/IV/IM, administer 4 mg initially, may repeat in 10-15 min
0.05-0.1 mg/kg PO/IV/IM; not to exceed 2 mg/dose
CNS toxicity increases when used concurrently with alcohol, phenothiazines, barbiturates, or MAOIs
Documented hypersensitivity; preexisting CNS depression, hypotension, and narrow-angle glaucoma
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Acute narrow-angle glaucoma, caution with impaired renal or hepatic function; may cause cardiovascular collapse, respiratory depression, blood dyscrasias, hypotension, drowsiness, fatigue, ataxia, or confusion
Used as alternative in termination of refractory status epilepticus. Because midazolam is water soluble, it takes approximately 3 times longer than diazepam to achieve peak EEG effects; wait 2-3 min to fully evaluate sedative effects before initiating procedure or repeating dose.
Loading: 0.2 mg/kg IV
Maintenance: 0.1-0.4 mg/kg/h continuous IV infusion
Alternatively: 10-15 mg IM; when other access impossible
Loading: 0.15 mg/kg IV
Maintenance dose: 1 mcg/kg/min continuous IV infusion
Titrate maintenance dose upward q5min until clinical seizure activity is controlled
Sedative effects of midazolam may be antagonized by theophyllines; narcotics and erythromycin may accentuate sedative effects of midazolam due to decreased clearance
Documented hypersensitivity; preexisting hypotension, narrow angle glaucoma
D - Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Intubation and pressor support necessary for continuous IV infusion; caution in congestive heart failure, pulmonary disease, renal impairment, and hepatic failure
Berger KJ, Guss DA. Mycotoxins revisited: Part I. J Emerg Med. Jan 2005;28(1):53-62. [Medline].
Berger KJ, Guss DA. Mycotoxins revisited: Part II. J Emerg Med. 2005b Feb;28(2):175-83. [Medline].
Goldfrank LR. Mushrooms. In: Flomenbaum NE, Goldfrank LR, Hoffman RS, Howland MA, Lewin NA, Nelson LS. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2006:1564-76.
Diaz JH. Evolving global epidemiology, syndromic classification, general management, and prevention of unknown mushroom poisonings. Crit Care Med. Feb 2005;33(2):419-26. [Medline].
Diaz JH. Syndromic diagnosis and management of confirmed mushroom poisonings. Crit Care Med. Feb 2005;33(2):427-36. [Medline].
Watson WA, Litovitz TL, Rodgers GC Jr, et al. 2004 Annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. Am J Emerg Med. Sep 2005;23(5):589-666. [Medline].
Michelot D, Melendez-Howell LM. Amanita muscaria: chemistry, biology, toxicology, and ethnomycology. Mycol Res. Feb 2003;107(Pt 2):131-46. [Medline].
Bronstein AC, Spyker DA, Cantilena LR Jr, Green JL, Rumack BH, Heard SE. 2007 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data System (NPDS): 25th Annual Report. Clin Toxicol (Phila). Dec 2008;46(10):927-1057. [Medline].
Benjamin DR. Mushroom poisoning in infants and children: the Amanita pantherina/muscaria group. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 1992;30(1):13-22. [Medline].
Poisindex managements, mushrooms – muscimol / ibotenic acid. In: Poisindex System [Internet database online] [database online]. Greenwood Village (CO): Thomson Reuters (Healthcare); February 27, 2009.
Brvar M, Mozina M, Bunc M. Prolonged psychosis after Amanita muscaria ingestion. Wien Klin Wochenschr. May 2006;118(9-10):294-7. [Medline].
Satora L, Pach D, Butryn B, Hydzik P, Balicka-Slusarczyk B. Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) poisoning, case report and review. Toxicon. Jun 1 2005;45(7):941-3. [Medline].
Satora L, Pach D, Ciszowski K, Winnik L. Panther cap Amanita pantherina poisoning case report and review. Toxicon. Apr 2006;47(5):605-7. [Medline].
NAMA (North American Mycological Association). Annual reports. North American Mycological Association, Toxicology Section. Available at http://www.namyco.org/toxicology. Accessed March 4, 2009.
West PL, Lindgren J, Horowitz BZ. Amanita smithiana mushroom ingestion: a case of delayed renal failure and literature review. J Med Toxicol. Mar 2009;5(1):32-8. [Medline].
Fischbein CB, Mueller GM, Leacock PR, Wahl MS, Aks SE. Digital imaging: a promising tool for mushroom identification. Acad Emerg Med. Jul 2003;10(7):808-11. [Medline].
Beuhler MC, Sasser HC, Watson WA. The outcome of North American pediatric unintentional mushroom ingestions with various decontamination treatments: an analysis of 14 years of TESS data. Toxicon. Mar 15 2009;53(4):437-43. [Medline].
Chyka PA, Seger D, Krenzelok EP, Vale JA. Position paper: Single-dose activated charcoal. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2005;43(2):61-87. [Medline]. [Full Text].
ibotenic acid, fly agaric mushroom, ibotenic acid mushrooms, muscimol, panther mushroom, mushroom poisoning, mushroom poisoning symptoms
Peter A Chyka, PharmD, FAACT, DABAT, Professor and Executive Associate Dean, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Peter A Chyka, PharmD, FAACT, DABAT is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
William Banner Jr, MD, PhD,, Medical Director, Oklahoma Poison Control Center; Clinical Professor of Pharmacy, Oklahoma University College of Pharmacy-Tulsa; Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
William Banner Jr, MD, PhD, is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Medical Toxicology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Michael E Mullins, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine
Michael E Mullins, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and American College of Emergency Physicians
Disclosure: Johnson & Johnson stock ownership None; Savient Pharmaceuticals stock ownership None
Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner
Jeffrey R Tucker, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut and Connecticut Children's Medical Center
Jeffrey R Tucker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Massachusetts Medical Society
Disclosure: Merck Salary Employment
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine
Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting
Timothy E Corden, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director, Policy Core, Injury Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin; Associate Director, PICU, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Timothy E Corden, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Phi Beta Kappa, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and Wisconsin Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.