[Mushroom poisoning in the IX region. Role of Amanita gemmata].

We report four episodes of mushroom poisoning that occurred between 1986 and 1990 in the province of Malleco. Twenty five of 36 individuals who ingested the mushroom became ill; they had an acute gastroenteritis that was followed in 7 by an acute hepatitis and in one by a massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Three subjects with fulminant hepatic failure and the subject with the massive bleeding died. Amanita gemmate (strain described as toxic in Chile since 1967) was found in two episodes and Amanita sp in one. The clinical picture is similar to that described for Amanita phaloides. The treatment is symptomatic but penicillin and silymarin may have an antitoxic action. The importance of warning the population about the existence of toxic mushrooms in Chile is emphasized.