Mushrooms in the genus Cortinarius can cause the Orellanus syndrome which features intense thirst and renal failure.
Mushrooms involved: species in the Cortinarius genus (8 species are listed by Koppel in Table 3, page1523)
Group in the POISINDEX classification: Ia
Geographic distribution: throughout Europe, parts of North America
Toxin: orellanine and possibly cortinarin
Factors affecting toxins: The toxins are not affected by heat (thermostable), cooking or drying.
Onset: 36 hours to 17 days after ingestion
Clinical symptoms:
(1) nausea
(2) headache
(3) sweating
(4) chills
(5) gastritis
(6) pain in the lumbar region
(7) intense thirst
(8) polyuria initially followed by oliguria or anuria
Patients may require short or long-term dialysis.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
