Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Nephrotoxic Mushroom Poisonings Running Title: Nephrotoxic Mushroom Poisonings - Abstract
Introduction: Since mushroom poisonings are increasing worldwide today as young adults mistake poisonous mushrooms for psychedelic ones and recent
immigrants mistake poisonous mushrooms for edible ones at home, the objectives of this descriptive analysis were to identify nephrotoxic mushroom species, to
present a toxidromic approach to earlier diagnoses based on the onset of gastrointestinal manifestations and renal failure, and to compare the efficacies and
outcomes of renal replacement management strategies.
Methods: Several internet search engines were queried with the key words in order to identify peer-reviewed scientific articles on nephrotoxic mushroom
poisonings and their treatments during the search period, 1957-present.
Results: Although the hepatotoxic amatoxin-containing mushrooms cause most mushroom poisonings and fatalities, nephrotoxic mushrooms, most commonly
Cortinarius species can cause renal insufficiency and kidney failure. Recently, several new species of nephrotoxic mushrooms have been identified in Asia,
Europe, the United States, and Canada. Renal replacement therapies including temporary hemodialysis and renal transplantation are often indicated in the
management of nephrotoxic mushroom poisonings.
Conclusions: Unlike the outcomes of amatoxic mushroom poisonings, which are often fatal without liver transplantation, nephrotoxic mushroom poisonings
that are diagnosed early and managed with temporary renal replacement therapies usually have good outcomes with full recovery of pre-existing renal
function unless irreversible renal failure ensues.