Teenager From Chile Died Due to Acute Liver Failure After Consuming Wild Mushrooms

A 17-year-old boy passed away after consuming poisonous mushrooms. He and his family collected it from the wild.

Poisonous Mushroom Killed a Teenager In Chile

The tragedy happened in Chile's central region Bío Bío, specifically in the Hualqui commune. According to the local media outlet Bío Bío Chile (via Newsweek), the adolescent who consumed the deadly mushrooms passed away from fulminant hepatic failure.

A patient without a history of liver illness experienced severe acute liver failure or fulminant hepatic failure. The condition features a rapid decrease in liver function over a few days or weeks.

The medical emergency necessitates rapid hospital care. Serious side effects, including bleeding and elevated cerebral pressure, may result from it.

The unnamed high school kid and his family ventured into the Hualqui countryside to gather wild mushrooms. The child picked the mushrooms and, with the exception of his younger brother, ate part of them together with the rest of his family, according to Jorge Constanzo, the mayor of Hualqui.

The two parents and their kids all consumed the wild mushrooms. Fortunately, the younger son did not eat them because he thought they were bland. Otherwise, the entire family of four would have been in the same predicament, per Constanza.

According to the family, the teen felt unwell a few hours after eating the wild mushrooms. His aunt Bárbara Poblete reported that he was eventually admitted to a neighborhood hospital.

He stayed overnight in the ICU. In the morning, his parents were informed that he had to be transferred to the [Concepción] Regional Hospital immediately because he required a liver transplant. The family was reportedly shocked after hearing the news.

The youngster was hospitalized for several days, but physicians could not conduct a liver transplant in time. The boy eventually succumbed to the strong toxins in the wild mushroom and died.

The parents' consumption of the mushrooms also had adverse effects, but they received medical attention elsewhere and didn't incur any serious problems.

It remains unclear what kind of wild mushrooms the family ate. However, some edible mushrooms are remarkably similar to ones that, if consumed, can be harmful.

In a previous report from Science Times, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths worldwide. However, an FDA-approved antidote has been discovered.

According to researchers, Indocyanine green, which has been used as a medical diagnostic imaging dye, is a possible STT3B inhibitor. It should be given immediately after consuming the death cap mushroom to block the α-amanitin-induced cell death.

What is Fulminant Hepatic Failure (Acute Liver Failure)?

The term "hepatic" refers to the liver, and the term "fulminant" means to strike abruptly, like lightning, which is how acute liver failure is also known as "FHF." Although rare, fulminant hepatic failure is not infrequent. When liver cells are harmed and die, it occurs. Normal liver cells are gradually replaced by scar tissue until there aren't enough liver cells left to carry out their function, per UPMC.

Fulminant hepatic failure has indirect impacts on other organ systems in addition to interfering with liver function. Within two to 12 weeks, it can harm the brain and result in encephalopathy (en-seh-fuh-luh-pa-thee).

A significant injury to the body, typically from viruses or poisons that overpower the liver, causes acute liver failure. Viral hepatitis is the most frequent cause of acute liver failure. Acetaminophen or Tylenol® overdoses can potentially result in fulminant liver failure.

Eating some organic items, like mushrooms or therapeutic herbs, may also contribute. Exposure to poisons or hazardous chemicals could also result in fulminant liver failure. Sometimes the exact cause of fulminant hepatic failure is unknown.

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