Poisoning by species close to Cortinarius orellanus
Incubation : long (from a half-day up to 18 days after ingestion). During this time, digestive disorders may appear between the 24th and 36th hour after ingestion.lethal dose : ranging from 35g to 250g of fresh mushrooms depending on authors
Toxic compounds involved : orellanine, cortinarin A and B
Signs of intoxication :
- Nausea, stomach pains, vomiting (from 24 to 36 hours after ingestion)
- These digestive disorders are closely followed between the 4th and 14th days by kidney failure. First signs are: intense thirst, dryness of mouth, frequent urination, then finally decreased and nonexistent urine output and ultimately destruction of kidneys and death.
- cumulative action over time: a small dose only induces a limited desctruction of kidney cells without apparent consequences. petite dose provoque une destruction limitée des cellules rénales sans suite apparente. Subsequent consumption, even years apart, can however lead to death if a destruction critical threshold is crossed
- Apparent remissions can be experienced, but they are only apparent
Responsible species :
Some members of genus Cortinarius contain these poisonous compounds (though in variable quantities):
- The Fool's Webcap and Deadly Webcap are the most deadly ones.
- Toxic species also include Cortinarius orellanoides, Cortinarius gentilis, Surprise Webcap, Splendid Webcap, Cortinarius callisteus, Cortinarius cinnabarinus, Cinnamon Webcap, Red banded Webcap (with a concentration 100 times smaller than the Deadly Webcap - evidenced in 2016) etc.
Other intoxications by mushrooms
page updated on 25/06/15