Poisoning by the Amanitin toxin is usually characterized by four different stages. The first stage, or latent period, in which there are no symptoms, ranges from 6-15 hours after eating the poisonous mushrooms. Following the latent period is the second stage in which the patient experiences severe and acute abdominal pain, profuse diarrhea, persistent vomiting, thirst, and a lack of urine production. This second stage persists for approximately 24 hours. Assuming survival of the second stage, the patient then goes into a third stage in which there is an appearance of recovery. This stage also lasts for about 24 hours. The fourth stage is relapse. During this stage hepatic and renal failure along with encephalopathy often occurs which can then result in death. Because of the destruction of clotting factors, extensive hemolysis (also called “bleed out”) may occur. Amanita sp., Galerina sp., and Lepeota sp. are representative genera in which Amanitin is the principle toxin.
