Multiple fatal mycetism caused by Amanita virosa in Mexico.

Mushroom poisonings caused by amatoxins are mostly lethal. Information about mycetisms caused by white species of Amanita is scarce. The present paper describes a case of mushroom poisoning caused by A. virosa. A prolongated latency period (6-10 hours), followed by cholera-like, improvement and visceral complication phases confirmed the amatoxin poisoning. The consumption of about 3 pounds of the toadstool by seven persons caused the death of five. Two patients survive the ingestion.