Food Poisoning Attributed to Omphalotus japonicus Using PCR-Based Sequencing

What is it about?

We report an outbreak of Omphalotus japonicus poisoning following mushroom ingestion in Taiwan. Three members of a family developed nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, watery diarrhea, and myalgias approximately 30 minutes after consuming one and a half mushrooms. They were admitted to the emergency room, with laboratory findings showing slightly elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. After receiving intravenous fluid and electrolyte replacement, as well as close monitoring of renal and liver function, they recovered from the effects of poisoning within 12 hours. On day 2, they were discharged in good condition. Since the mushroom samples were destroyed, morphological examination by a mycologist was inconclusive. Therefore, we adopted Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods for identification. A sample of the raw fruiting bodies was tested and identified as Omphalotus japonicus, which in turn is known to contain Illudin S and Illduin M and cause acute gastrointestinal symptoms. To the best of our knowledge, this outbreak represents the first description of using PCR-based sequencing to diagnose Omphalotus japonicus poisoning in the English literature.

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Why is it important?

This outbreak represents the first description of using PCR-based sequencing to diagnose Omphalotus japonicus poisoning in the English literature.

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