[Chronic renal failure following intoxication by Cortinarius orellanus fries type mushrooms. Two cases of familial intoxication (author's transl)].

Poisoning from Cortina orellanus is to be observed when favourable weather conditions allow the spread of the Cortina in the mountains. A failure to recognize toxicity from this mushroom and a few related species explains the occurrence of genuine epiemics of poisoning, such as has been observed in Poland. Two case histories reported by the authors illustrate that such cases of poisoning occur in France, where the most dangerous of the Cortina, Cortina orellanus, although not widespread, is also not rare. The clinical picture is notable by virtue of the long incubation period and predominantly renal involvement, which is paramount in diagnosis. The condition is initially one of an acute interstitial tubular nephritis which is likely to develop later into a chronic condition.