mushroom poisoning, a toxic condition caused by the ingestion of certain mushrooms, particularly species of the genus Amanita. Muscarine in A. muscaria produces intoxication in a few minutes to 2 hours. Symptoms include lacrimation, salivation, sweating, vomiting, labored breathing, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and in severe cases convulsions, coma, and circulatory failure. More deadly but slower-acting phalloidin in A. phalloides and A. verna causes similar symptoms, as well as liver damage, renal failure, and death. Rapid identification of mushroom poisoning and treatment is critical. According to the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, persons who have ingested poisonous mushrooms and are treated immediately have a mortality rate of 10%, whereas those who are treated 60 or more hours later have a 60% to 90% mortality rate. Also called phalloidine poisoning.
