From Lab to Hospital: Mushroom Poisoning Diagnosis

Bridging the gap between mycology and emergency medicine to improve clinical management of acute gastroenteritis caused by mushroom poisoning in Malaysia.

Lead: Dato’ Dr Alzamani Idrose & MRC UM Team
Location: Hospital Kuala Lumpur & Universiti Malaya

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9 Project Months

119 Community Beneficiaries

RM 1.7k Civil Society Contribution

71 Reported Cases in Malaysia

The Challenge

Mushroom poisoning often presents with symptoms identical to standard gastroenteritis, leading to dangerous delays in specialized care. Malaysia previously lacked a centralized list of poisonous species and a standardized knowledge transfer pathway between mycologists and healthcare practitioners.

The Objective

This project aims to establish a definitive pathway for mushroom poisoning management in clinics and hospitals. By educating medical officers and nurses on toxicology and clinical management, we ensure faster identification and prevent severe outcomes like hepatic failure.

Outcomes & Stakeholder Engagement

National Workshop Successfully organized the first National Mushroom Poisoning Workshop in HKL (November 2017).

Clinical Guidelines Development of clinical management guidelines led by Dato’ Dr Alzamani Idrose (Emergency Physician).

Educational Outreach Conducted talks at science fairs, cafes, and radio interviews to sensitize the general public.

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Poisoning Network Establishing a formal "Mushroom Poisoning Network" between UM, HKL, and the Ministry of Health (MOH).

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Scientific Publication A comprehensive book on Malaysian poisonous mushrooms is currently in the finalization stage.

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Institutional Scale Plan to expand the training to reach more doctors, beginning with the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC).

Evidence & Media

Global Goal Alignment

This project actively contributes to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by improving clinical outcomes and institutional collaboration.