A fatal Sunday brunch: Amanita mushroom poisoning in a Gulf Coast family.

Abstract

Mushroom poisoning with resultant liver toxicity often occurs in experienced collectors. The increasing popularity of natural foods has lead to an increased incidence of mushroom poisoning among the general population. This report describes a grandmother with over 30 yr of self-taught expertise in selecting and preparing wild mushrooms, who prepared a mushroom dish that led to the poisoning of herself and three family members. A 3-yr-old child died of fulminant hepatic failure, and the others recovered completely. The clinical presentation, course, and management of patients with mushroom poisoning are discussed.