Mycotoxins, are a diverse range of compounds from different precursors and pathways, all toxic to humans. The mycotoxins include phallotoxin, a toadstool toxin and potent human carcinogen which has been show to cause liver cancer. Some mycotoxins that can produce intoxication and hallucination. Liver damage Ochratoxins A. ochraceus Liver damage Citrinin Penicillium citrium Kidney damage Penicillic acid P. cyclopium Cardiac toxin Rubratoxins P. rubrum Haemorrhage Trichothecenes Fusarium spp . There are several affects on human health caused by mushroom toxins.
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of the fungi and known to cause mycetismus, mushroom poisoning.
Protoplasmic poisons are found in the Amanita species, they are cyclic peptides that mobilise hepatic glucose. In man they cause blood pressure to fall, a decrease in sugar and sodium chloride content of the blood, residual blood urea to increases, potassium deficiency and leukocytosis. If the patient survives this first stage a hepatomegally, or enlargement of the liver occurs, alongside cramps, dilation of the pupils, albuminia, haemoglobinuria and oligouria. The ultimate fate is death, usually caused by acute hepatic necrosis. Some mushrooms also contain compounds with a neurological effect.