Acute Amanita muscaria Toxicity: A Literature Review and Two Case Reports in Elderly Spouses Following Home Preparation
Stanila Stoeva, Ivanesa Yarabanova, Maya Radeva–ilieva, Diana Ivanova, Snezha Zlateva, Petko Marinov
Toxins November 25, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.3390/toxins17120570 via OpenAlex
Summary
Amanita muscaria (fly agaric) poisoning causes highly variable symptoms, typically mild neuropsychiatric effects, but can be severe. This review covers the mushroom's toxins, ibotenic acid and muscimol, and their effects. Two case reports of elderly patients with severe poisoning show rapid gastrointestinal symptoms, deep central nervous system depression, and cholinergic signs, requiring intensive care and atropine. Both patients fully recovered. The work highlights the need for clinical awareness and public education about wild mushroom dangers.
Study at a glance
| Design | review with case series |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | elderly individuals with severe Amanita muscaria intoxication |
| Key finding | Severe Amanita muscaria poisoning in elderly patients can present with rapid gastrointestinal symptoms, profound CNS depression, and cholinergic features, but full recovery is possible with intensive supportive care and atropine. |
Abstract
Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam., commonly known as fly agaric, remains an uncommon yet clinically important cause of acute mushroom intoxication. Although typically associated with mild to moderate neuropsychiatric disturbances, the mushroom’s toxic profile is highly variable and continues to attract scientific, toxicological, and public health interest. This work provides an integrative review of the biochemical composition, toxicodynamics, and clinical manifestations associated with A. muscaria exposure, with particular emphasis on the pharmacological actions of its principal constituents, ibotenic acid and muscimol. The review is complemented by two contemporaneous cases of severe intoxication in elderly individuals, illustrating the real-world clinical expression of the toxidrome and the challenges in diagnosis and management. Both cases presented with rapid-onset gastrointestinal symptoms, profound central nervous system depression, and cholinergic features, requiring intensive supportive therapy, atropine infusion, and continuous monitoring. Full recovery was achieved in both patients. These clinical observations contextualize the broader toxicological framework discussed in the review and underscore the need for increased clinical vigilance, improved public education, and strengthened diagnostic and therapeutic preparedness regarding psychoactive wild mushroom exposures.