Health Dictionary
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Amatoxin
Introduction
Amatoxins are a subgroup of toxins found in Amanita phalloides and several other members of the genus Amanita, as well as some Conocybe, Galerina and Lepiota mushroom species.
Their swift intestinal absorption coupled with their thermostability explains why their toxic effects occur in a relative short period of time. The most severe effects are toxic hepatitis with centrolobular necrosis and hepatic steatosis, as well as acute tubulointerstitial nephropathy, which altogether induce a severe hepatorenal syndrome (with a potential fatal outcome). The estimated minimum lethal dose is 0.1 mg/kg or 7 mg of toxin in adults. There are eight amatoxins: