Individual variation in mushroom poisoning induced in the male rate by Cortinarius speciosissimus.

The renal toxicity of a homogenate of Cortinarius speciosissimus was studied in male rats after oral administration of 100, 500 and 1,000 mg of dried mushroom/kg body weight. Great individual variation in response to the mushroom toxins was observed. At high doses (500 mg/kg and 1,000 mg/kg) the percentage of treated animals which showed renal damage did not increase in proportion of the dose. 20--30% of the rats appeared to be resistant to the toxins of C. speciosissimus, even after large doses. However, in those animals which were affected the severity of renal damage was dose-dependent. The great individual variation in the response to C. speciosissimus toxins could be explained by genetic variation.