Podostroma cornu-damae
Encyclopedia
Podostroma cornu-damae (Japanese: カエンタケ) is a species of fungus
in the Hypocreaceae
family. The fruit bodies
of the fungus are highly toxic
, and have been responsible for several fatalities in Japan. The fungus contains several trichothecene
mycotoxin
s.
as Hypocrea cornu-damae by Narcisse Théophile Patouillard
in 1895, and later transferred to the genus Podocrea in 1905 by Pier Andrea Saccardo
. In 1994 Japanese mycologists Tsuguo Hongo
and Izawa placed the species in the genus Podostroma
.
e that produce conidia) are up to 400 μm
high and about 2–4 μm wide in the main axial hyphae. The phialide
s are arranged in tufts with narrow angles at the top, similar to the branching hyphae found in Trichoderma
species. The conidia are roughly spherical with a truncate base in each spore, pale green in color, and measure 2.5–3.5 μm in diameter. Their surfaces are almost smooth, but sometimes appearing very faintly roughened with light microscopy.
died two days after consuming about 1 gram (0.035273962105112 oz) of fruit body that had been soaked in sake. In 2000, an individual from Gunma prefecture
died after eating the fried mushroom. Symptoms associated with consumption in these cases included stomach pains, changes in perception, decrease in the number of leukocytes and thrombocytes, peeling skin on the face, hair loss, and shrinking of the cerebellum
, resulting in speech impediment and problems with voluntary movement. In another instance, an autopsy
revealed multiple organ failure, including acute kidney failure, liver necrosis
and disseminated intravascular coagulation
. In one case of poisoning, the patient suffered from hemophagocytosis
, in addition to severe leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia
seven days after ingesting the fungus. Plasmapheresis
and administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
were used to treat the blood disorders. The authors suggested that these treatments, in addition to the large volume of administered intravenous fluid—9 liters over a 12-hour period—were responsible for his successful recovery.
The poisoning symptoms are similar to these observed previously with animals that have consumed trichothecene
mycotoxin
s. Japanese researchers detected the presence of the macrocyclic trichothecenes satratoxin H, satratoxin H 12′,13′-diacetate, satratoxin H 12′-acetate, and satratoxin H 13′-acetate. When grown in liquid culture the fungus additionally produces roridin E, verrucarin J, and satratoxin H. With the exception of verrucarin J, a 0.5 gram (0.017636981052556 oz) dose of all of these compounds, when injected into the abdomen of mice, will result in their death the following day.
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
in the Hypocreaceae
Hypocreaceae
The Hypocreaceae are a family within the class Sordariomycetes. Species of Hypocreaceae are usually recognized by their brightly colored, perithecial ascomata, typically yellow, orange or red. The family was proposed by Giuseppe De Notaris in 1844. According to the Dictionary of the Fungi , the...
family. The fruit bodies
Ascocarp
An ascocarp, or ascoma , is the fruiting body of an ascomycete fungus. It consists of very tightly interwoven hyphae and may contain millions of asci, each of which typically contains eight ascospores...
of the fungus are highly toxic
Mushroom poisoning
Mushroom poisoning refers to harmful effects from ingestion of toxic substances present in a mushroom. These symptoms can vary from slight gastrointestinal discomfort to death. The toxins present are secondary metabolites produced in specific biochemical pathways in the fungal cells...
, and have been responsible for several fatalities in Japan. The fungus contains several trichothecene
Trichothecene
Trichothecenes are a very large family of chemically related mycotoxins produced by various species of Fusarium, Myrothecium, Trichoderma, Trichothecium, Cephalosporium, Verticimonosporium, and Stachybotrys...
mycotoxin
Mycotoxin
A mycotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom, commonly known as molds. The term ‘mycotoxin’ is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops...
s.
Taxonomy
The species was originally describedSpecies description
A species description or type description is a formal description of a newly discovered species, usually in the form of a scientific paper. Its purpose is to give a clear description of a new species of organism and explain how it differs from species which have been described previously, or are...
as Hypocrea cornu-damae by Narcisse Théophile Patouillard
Narcisse Théophile Patouillard
Narcisse Théophile Patouillard was a French pharmacist and mycologist.He was born in Macornay, a town in the department of Jura...
in 1895, and later transferred to the genus Podocrea in 1905 by Pier Andrea Saccardo
Pier Andrea Saccardo
Pier Andrea Saccardo was an Italian botanist and mycologist.- Life :...
. In 1994 Japanese mycologists Tsuguo Hongo
Tsuguo Hongo
was a Japanese mycologist who specialized in the biogeography and taxonomy of Agaricales.Hongo entered the Department of Biology at what is now Hiroshima University in 1943, where he studied botany until graduating in 1946 with a B.Sc....
and Izawa placed the species in the genus Podostroma
Podostroma
Podostroma is a genus of fungi in the Hypocreaceae family. It was described by the Finnish mycologist Petter Karsten in 1892. The genus contain 11 species that collectively have a widespread distribution.- Species :* P. africanum* P. alutaceum...
.
Description
The conidiophores (specialized fungal hyphaHypha
A hypha is a long, branching filamentous structure of a fungus, and also of unrelated Actinobacteria. In most fungi, hyphae are the main mode of vegetative growth, and are collectively called a mycelium; yeasts are unicellular fungi that do not grow as hyphae.-Structure:A hypha consists of one or...
e that produce conidia) are up to 400 μm
Micrometre
A micrometer , is by definition 1×10-6 of a meter .In plain English, it means one-millionth of a meter . Its unit symbol in the International System of Units is μm...
high and about 2–4 μm wide in the main axial hyphae. The phialide
Phialide
Phialide .*A flask-shaped projection from the vesicle of certain fungi.*Projects from the mycelium without increasing in length unless there is a subsequent increase in the formation of conidia....
s are arranged in tufts with narrow angles at the top, similar to the branching hyphae found in Trichoderma
Trichoderma
Trichoderma is a genus of fungi that is present in all soils, where they are the most prevalent culturable fungi. Many species in this genus can be characterized as opportunistic avirulent plant symbionts.-Species:...
species. The conidia are roughly spherical with a truncate base in each spore, pale green in color, and measure 2.5–3.5 μm in diameter. Their surfaces are almost smooth, but sometimes appearing very faintly roughened with light microscopy.
Toxicity
Several poisonings have been reported in Japan resulting from consumption of the fungus. In 1999, one of a group of five people from Niigata prefectureNiigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
died two days after consuming about 1 gram (0.035273962105112 oz) of fruit body that had been soaked in sake. In 2000, an individual from Gunma prefecture
Gunma Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the northwest corner of the Kantō region on Honshu island. Its capital is Maebashi.- History :The remains of a Paleolithic man were found at Iwajuku, Gunma Prefecture, in the early 20th century and there is a public museum there.Japan was without horses until...
died after eating the fried mushroom. Symptoms associated with consumption in these cases included stomach pains, changes in perception, decrease in the number of leukocytes and thrombocytes, peeling skin on the face, hair loss, and shrinking of the cerebellum
Cerebellum
The cerebellum is a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. It may also be involved in some cognitive functions such as attention and language, and in regulating fear and pleasure responses, but its movement-related functions are the most solidly established...
, resulting in speech impediment and problems with voluntary movement. In another instance, an autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
revealed multiple organ failure, including acute kidney failure, liver necrosis
Necrosis
Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue. Necrosis is caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma. This is in contrast to apoptosis, which is a naturally occurring cause of cellular death...
and disseminated intravascular coagulation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation
Disseminated intravascular coagulation , also known as disseminated intravascular coagulopathy or consumptive coagulopathy, is a pathological activation of coagulation mechanisms that happens in response to a variety of diseases. DIC leads to the formation of small blood clots inside the blood...
. In one case of poisoning, the patient suffered from hemophagocytosis
Hemophagocytosis
Hemophagocytosis is phagocytosis by histiocytes of erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, and their precursors in bone marrow and other tissues.It is part of the presentation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis....
, in addition to severe leukocytopenia and thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Thrombocytopenia is a relative decrease of platelets in blood.A normal human platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. These limits are determined by the 2.5th lower and upper percentile, so values outside this range do not necessarily indicate disease...
seven days after ingesting the fungus. Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis
Plasmapheresis is the removal, treatment, and return of blood plasma from blood circulation. It is thus an extracorporeal therapy...
and administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is a colony-stimulating factor hormone. G-CSF is also known as colony-stimulating factor 3 ....
were used to treat the blood disorders. The authors suggested that these treatments, in addition to the large volume of administered intravenous fluid—9 liters over a 12-hour period—were responsible for his successful recovery.
The poisoning symptoms are similar to these observed previously with animals that have consumed trichothecene
Trichothecene
Trichothecenes are a very large family of chemically related mycotoxins produced by various species of Fusarium, Myrothecium, Trichoderma, Trichothecium, Cephalosporium, Verticimonosporium, and Stachybotrys...
mycotoxin
Mycotoxin
A mycotoxin is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by organisms of the fungus kingdom, commonly known as molds. The term ‘mycotoxin’ is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops...
s. Japanese researchers detected the presence of the macrocyclic trichothecenes satratoxin H, satratoxin H 12′,13′-diacetate, satratoxin H 12′-acetate, and satratoxin H 13′-acetate. When grown in liquid culture the fungus additionally produces roridin E, verrucarin J, and satratoxin H. With the exception of verrucarin J, a 0.5 gram (0.017636981052556 oz) dose of all of these compounds, when injected into the abdomen of mice, will result in their death the following day.
External links
- Kingdom of Fungi - Podostroma cornu-damae jpg
- Images
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