Damage Caused by Tw o Finnish Mushrooms, Cortinarius speciosissimus and Cortinarius gentilis on the Rat Kidney

Abstract

The toxicity of two mushroom species found in Finland, Cortinarius speciosissimus and Cortinarius gentilis, on the rat was studied. Dried, homogenized mushroom was given orally by stomach tubing. A dose of 500 mg dried mushroom/kg body weight, was used. It was demonstrated that both species caused renal damage. No damage could be shown in other organs. The renal histopathological changes corresponded to those of tubulo-interstitial nephritis. The sensitivity of different individuals to the fungal toxins varied greatly.