Mushroom Poisoning in Thailand: Incidence and Intoxication to Human Health

Abstract

Mushroom poisoning is one of the public health issues related to food-borne diseases in Thailand and worldwide. This paper revealed the incidence of mushroom poisoning in Thailand between 2008 and 2017 and discussed relevant information involved. About 1,200 to 2,000 reported cases were reported each year with morbidity rates from 1.86 to 3.34 per 100,000 population and mortality rates from 0.12 to 1.12%. Overall, 15,680 patients of mushroom poisoning were reported in Thailand during the 10-year period from 2008 to 2017 with an average of 1,568 patients annually. The cases were reported mainly from northeast and north Thailand. Actually, the incidence of mushroom poisoning increased during rainy season between May and September. The highest risk was found among patients aged between 55 and 64 years and over 65 years followed by the group of 45-54 years. The poison risk to women was always greater than to men with ratios varying between 1.13:1 and 1.70:1 and the incidence was found mainly among farmers and general workers. Four groups of toxins have been found in Thailand including protoplasmic poisons, neurotoxins, gastrointestinal irritants and disulfiram-like toxins. The protoplasmic poisons are a major cause of death in most cases and are found among some mushrooms, such as Amanita exitialis, A. fuliginea, A. fuligineoides and A. gleocystidiosa. Gastrointestinal irritants are the most common toxins found in all regions of Thailand and found among some mushrooms, such as Chlorophyllum molybdites, Russula sp., Cantharocybe virosa, Entoloma sp., Lactarius sp.and Tricholoma sp. Commonly, consumption of poisonous mushrooms is usually a result from misidentification of some poisonous ones, closely similar to those of the commonly edible mushrooms. Therefore, educating the public to recognize poisonous mushrooms to avoid to harvesting them for consumption or sale is urgently needed.