A case of fatal poisoning by Gyromitra esculenta

A case of fatal poisoning by the mushroom Gyromitra esculenta (false morel) in a 53-year-old woman is reported. Clinical data were characterized initially by vomiting and diarrhea, and subsequently by hypotension, anuria, jaundice, hemiplegia, and coma. Death followed on the 3rd day. Prominent pathologic findings were brain edema, necrosis, fatty degeneration of the liver, nephrosis, scattered petechiae, and small hemorrhages. Gyromitrin was extracted in methanol, purified by thin layer chromatography, identified by I. R. spectrometry, and weighed. The relationship between O. D. at 277 mμ and the concentration (0.1–0.5mg/ml in absolute ethyl alcohol) was established.