Amanita phalloides poisoning: one harvest, three outcomes

Abstract

The case study is to alert all health care workers and the public alike to the dangers of ingesting wild mushrooms. We\xa0describe an incidence of Amanita phalloides poisoning in Johannesburg, South Africa, where three different outcomes were\xa0experienced. A pregnant mother recovered with conservative management while her unborn foetus died, and her three-year-old\xa0daughter required an emergency liver transplant. We outline the clinical course, management options and principles of\xa0mushroom identification and toxicology to increase awareness of the presence of Amanita phalloides and its toxic relatives\xa0in South Africa. We highlight that early recognition, prompt treatment and referral to a transplant service is life-saving.