A narrative review of toxicity after exposure to true morel ( Morchella genus) and false morel ( Gyromitra genus) mushroom ingestions

The clinical presentations following the ingestion of Morchella spp. and Gyromitra spp. mushrooms reported in the literature follow distinct patterns that differ from what is commonly reported in reference texts. Morchella spp. ingestions were associated with a constellation of neurological symptoms, including dizziness, unsteadiness, and ataxia, and many patients developed gastrointestinal symptoms, which typically occurred within 6 h. Several reports in 2024 described cases of critical illness, including early gastrointestinal symptoms, sometimes with shock, hemorrhagic gastrointestinal complications, and multi-system organ failure. Toxicity after Gyromitra spp. ingestion typically results in delayed gastrointestinal symptoms followed by hepatic and neurologic effects. Seizures were mostly reported as late findings in fatal cases after the onset of coma and multi-organ injury.