Poisonous mushrooms: Know more about toxic effects

Mycetism is used to describe the poising caused by ingestion of mushrooms. Wild mushrooms contain some toxic substances and using these mushrooms as edible mushrooms results in poisoning. Wild mushrooms closely resemble to cultivable species and identification of these mushrooms is very difficult.Dozens of mushroom species (about 32) have been identified to be fatal and several believed to be containing toxins. Amanita phalloides is reported to have caused poisoning in majority of such cases. Amanita is difficult to distinguish from other mushrooms in early stage and it is mistaken with other species by the gatherers. Symptoms of toxicity may include mild gastric discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, liver damage, kidney failure, respiratory failure, neurotoxicity and some cases of toxicity may even result in the death of the person consuming poisonous mushrooms. Symptoms may either be noticed immediately or after few days of ingestion. Alpha-amanitin is the principal toxin of Amanita genus that causes liver damage after 1-3 days of ingestion. Orellanine is the principal toxin in genus Cortinarius and reported to cause kidney failure. Muscarine is found in genus Omphalotus and it can cause respiratory failure. Gyromitrin is principal toxin in genus  Gyromitra  and reported to cause neurotoxicity, gastrointestinal upset, and destruction of blood cells. Coprine, principal toxin in genus  Coprinus, may  cause illness when consumed with alcohol. Other toxins present in poisonous mushrooms are: Ibotenic acid, muscimol in  A. muscaria, A. pantherina, A. gemmata, Psilocybin and psilocin in  Psilocype, bolesatine in  Boletus satanas , and ergotamine in  Claviceps