Analysis of mushroom exposures in Texas requiring hospitalization, 2005-2006.
BACKGROUND
Texas has approximately 200 species of wild mushrooms, including toxic and hallucinogenic varieties. Mushroom ingestions in Texas were studied for 2005-2006.


METHODS
Data was obtained via Texas Poison Control Centers and retrospectively reviewed. Case notes were reviewed individually regarding initial reporting, age, signs and symptoms, toxic effect, management, and patient outcomes.


RESULTS
A total of 742 exposures occurred during the study period. All exposures were acute and intentional. Of these exposures, 59 (7.9%) were admitted to the hospital, with 17 (28.8% of admissions) requiring admission to a critical care unit. Four cases required inpatient psychiatric admission. The average age of admitted exposures was 20.5 years, with a male-to-female predominance of 3.3:1. Eleven (22.9%) of the admitted exposures were identified, with Psilocybin being the most common agent (n = 10, 91%). Among the admissions, co-ingestions were identified with the mushroom ingestion in eleven patients (40.7%). The most common symptoms in admitted patients were vomiting (n = 34, 57.6%), nausea (n = 19, 32.2%), altered mental status (n = 17, 28.8%), abdominal pain (n = 13, 22%), and diarrhea (n = 10, 16.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
All mushroom exposures examined were acute and intentional. Major toxic reactions were uncommon, and no deaths were reported. Serious poisoning from mushroom ingestion is rare in Texas; however, there is greater need for information dissemination on morbidity.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Womack Army Medical Center, Fort Bragg, NC, USA. george.a.barbee@us.army.mil
George
G
Barbee
Cristóbal
C
Berry-Cabán
James
J
Barry
Douglas
D
Borys
John
J
Ward
Stephen
S
Salyer
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000506:poisoning; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009145:Mushroom Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011562:Psilocybin / Q000506:poisoning; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
D006213:Hallucinogens; D011562:Psilocybin