Poisonous mushrooms have killed ten people in Cagliari in one month. Two girls, aged 6 and 11, were also hospitalized.

There have been 10 cases of mushroom poisoning involving 15 consumers in the Cagliari area since November, resulting in hospitalizations at the Policlinico, Brotzu and Santissima Trinità.

Among those poisoned were two girls aged 6 and 11.

In all the cases found, " the poisonings were caused by the consumption of wild species collected and consumed without first having been subjected to inspection by mycologists from the ASL's mycological inspectorate ," explain the Food Hygiene and Nutrition Service (SIAN).

Seven of the poisonings, the ASL further explains, "were caused by the consumption of toxic mushrooms confused with similar edible species , while in three cases by the consumption of species which, although edible, were used in cooking without the appropriate precautions such as adequate and correct cooking or the elimination of the stems ."

The species responsible for the poisoning were the Entoloma sinuatum, mistaken for both the excellent Pleurotus eryngii (meat mushroom) and the Infundibulicybe geotropa (Sardinian name Cardulinu e'padenti), the Agaricus xanthodermus , mistaken for the common edible field mushrooms, and the Amanita subnudipes , a mushroom that is toxic when eaten raw as it contains thermolabile toxins, mistaken for the similar Amanita caesarea (good egg) and as such eaten raw.

In the case of poisoning from edible mushrooms, the mushrooms involved were Leccini and other Boletaceae eaten undercooked and without removing the stems, and Leucopaxillus lepistoides, a mushroom notoriously indigestible if consumed undercooked or in large quantities, as was the case in the unfortunate man who ended up in the emergency room with severe indigestion.

Since the beginning of the year, 16 cases of mushroom poisoning have occurred, involving 21 people. Fortunately, so far, only serious gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported. Therefore, to avoid further unpleasant cases, which can even be fatal, the recommendation of expert mycologists is to "never consume wild mushrooms without first having them checked."

The ASL concludes that advice for mushroom pickers is free and is provided by the mycological staff of the Mycological Inspectorate.

(Unioneonline)