J Korean Med Sci.  2020 Apr;35(19):e122. 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e122.

Development of End Stage Renal Disease after Long-Term Ingestion of Chaga Mushroom: Case Report and Review of Literature

• Lee S
• Lee HY
• Park Y
• Ko EJ
• Ban TH
• Chung BH
• Lee HS
• Yang CW

• KMID: 2500628
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e122

Abstract

Chaga mushrooms are widely used in folk remedies and in alternative medicine. Contrary to many beneficial effects, its adverse effect is rarely reported. We here report a case of end-stage renal disease after long-term taking Chaga mushroom. A 49-year-old Korean man with end stage renal disease (ESRD) was transferred to our hospital. Review of kidney biopsy finding was consistent with chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis with oxalate crystal deposits and drug history revealed long-term exposure to Chaga mushroom powder due to intractable atopic dermatitis. We suspected the association between Chaga mushroom and oxalate nephropathy, and measured the oxalate content of remained Chaga mushroom. The Chaga mushroom had extremely high oxalate content (14.2/100 g). Estimated daily oxalate intake of our case was 2 times for four years and 5 times for one year higher than that of usual diet. Chaga mushroom is a potential risk factor of chronic kidney disease considering high oxalate content. Nephrologist should consider oxalate nephropathy in ESRD patients exposed to Chaga mushrooms.

Keyword

Chaga Mushroom; End Stage Renal Disease; Oxalate Nephropathy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Radiologic evaluation. (A) Chest posterioanterior view and (B) Kidney-Ureter-Bladder radiography show no evidence of vascular calcification or kidney stone. (C) Abdominal sonography revealed increased echogenicity and decreased kidney size. (D) The abdominal computed tomography shows no evidence of kidney stone or vascular calcification. The images are published under agreement of the patient.

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  Fig. 2 Histopathologic evaluation. (A) Tubules reveal focal severe necrosis with crystal deposits and denudation of tubular epithelial cells. H&E stain (×20). (B) Aggregates of crystals attached to tubular basement membrane are shown with denudation of tubular epithelial cells. H&E stain (× 40). (C) The same image as Fig. 2B observed under the polarizing microscope.H&E = haemotoxylin and eosin.

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