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Abstract

As discussed in Chap. 2, higher fungi including mushrooms make many bioactive compounds. In this chapter we restrict our discussion to the cycloamanide family of ribosomally biosynthesized cyclic peptides found, to date, only in some species of Amanita, Lepiota, and Galerina. Information on the taxonomy, chemistry, and clinical aspects of mushroom poisonings due to non-peptidic mushroom components, including orellanine, gyromitrin, muscarine, illudin, coprine, and muscimol, are covered in Bresinky and Besl (1990), Benjamin (1995), and other books and web sites cited at the end of this chapter. Within the cycloamanide family, from the medical point of view, it is appropriate that the emphasis be exclusively on the amatoxins. Poisonings of mammals are due solely to the amatoxins because the phallotoxins are not absorbed from the digestive tracts of mammals (or, to the best of our knowledge, any other animal), and none of the monocyclic cycloamanides are known to be poisonous to mammals by any mode of ingestion.

If you suspect mushroom poisoning, go to the nearest emergency room, or, in the United States, call the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222). Keep a sample of the mushroom if it is available, in any shape – fresh, dried, cooked, from stomach contents, vomit, etc. Mushroom species can be identified from even small fragments of cooked mushrooms by microscopic examination or DNA sequencing. Correct identification of the consumed mushroom will facilitate effective treatment. If you suspect your pet has eaten a poisonous mushroom, take your animal to a veterinarian as soon as possible. For more information on human and animal mushroom poisonings, see the web links at the end of this chapter.

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Walton, J. (2018). Medical and Biotechnological Aspects. In: The Cyclic Peptide Toxins of Amanita and Other Poisonous Mushrooms. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-76822-9_7

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