The AMATOXtest is an easy to use device, similar in form and use to a modern pregnancy test, that was developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service. Urine from potentially intoxicated people or animals can be directly applied to the test strip and read 10 minutes later. Very small amounts of mushroom tissue can be quickly (1 minute) extracted into salt water using the included extraction vials and applied to the strip. The AMATOXtest is suitable for point-of-care or field testing and is sensitive enough to detect amanitins in urine days after intoxication or in small (~100 mg) amounts of mushroom tissue.
Deadly toxic mushrooms grow on every continent on the planet, and the Amanita mushrooms responsible for the great majority of serious poisonings are either native to many areas or are rapidly spreading invasive species. Current methods to detect the toxic substances, called amatoxins, require specialized equipment and reagents and are not portable. The AMATOXtest can fit in a pocket and can be used in the field or at point-of-care with no specialized training.
Find out if these mushrooms affect your area on: Mushroom Observer or iNaturalist
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Attention Veterinarians: We need your help in securing funding to keep this test available. Please visit our Veterinarian Outreach page.