Mycetism: Report of two fatal and cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Justification: Mycetism is the poisoning caused by the ingestion of wild mushrooms, which can occur clinically with different toxicological syndromes, depending on the species of fungus involved and its toxins. Its legal medical importance is that the intake can occur accidentally, homicidal or suicidal. Objective: To review relevant aspects of mycetism, for the recognition of toxicological syndromes associated with mushroom intake. Methodology: Different databases were reviewed using the keywords: mycetism, Amanita phalloides, legal medical autopsy, diagnostic approach. Results: A. phalloides, contains amatoxins that cause acute liver failure and falotoxins are responsible for gastrointestinal manifestations 10 hours after intake, characteristic of the phalloidin toxic syndrome. The cases described correspond to two women from the same family, a 36-year-old pregnant woman and her 6-year-old daughter, from a rural community in the central part of Honduras, who died after ingestion of wild mushrooms and whose autopsies were performed at the Department of Forensic Medicine of Tegucigalpa, to establish the cause and manner of death. In the legal medical history, it was reported that the mushrooms were cooked by the mother and consumed by her and her daughter. Conclusion: Continuous training of emergency doctors in hospitals is recommended for the recognition of toxicological syndromes associated with mushroom intake, to treat these patients on time and offer them a better chance of survival.