Abstract
The Datura genus includes a group of plants containing tropane belladonna anticholinergic alkaloids that can cause food poisoning. We report a case of Datura poisoning that was initially misdiagnosed as mushroom poisoning. A married couple complaining of general fatigue after eating noodles with mushrooms was transferred to our emergency room. Both patients showed hallucinations, confusion, tachycardia and papillary mydriasis. As mushroom food poisoning was suspected, they were admitted to the intensive care unit in our hospital. The tachycardia and confusion disappeared nine hours after the food intake, but intense thirst remained. A few days later, it was discovered that the mushrooms they ate turned out to be nonpoisonous. We reinvestigated the case, and knew that they had also eaten Datura metel roots that were mistaken for a burdock root. In conclusion, we need to consider Datura poisoning when a case of food poisoning accompanies typical anticholinergic signs and symptoms.
