Mushroom species can be identified based on morphological features, but this requires expert knowledge and biological specimens available for morphological diagnosis are often limited, not well preserved and thus frequently unsuitable for a rapid identification [22]. In cases when fungal materials (e.g. tissues, spores) are available, molecular genetic strategies for species identification may provide a promising alternative strategy [23–26]. Kotlowski et al. [23] developed a conventional PCR-based approach for the specific detection of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) gene fragment from A. phalloides. However, this technique was relatively time-consuming, gpd is a low-copy target [24] which implies low assay sensitivity, and the authors did not present an application to clinical samples. Maeta et al. [25] established a rapid and sensitive real-time PCR methodology for the detection of four poisonous fungal species common in Japan, and demonstrated successful applications with a variety of cooked preparations. Epis et al. [26] published single-plex real-time PCRs for the specific detection of four poisonous mushrooms (including A. phalloides) and tested these assays with DNA extracts from a variety of different sources (dried mushrooms, pasta with mushrooms, cooked mushrooms and gastric aspirates mixed with dried mushrooms). Furthermore, the development of a sensitive DNA-based macroarray for the simultaneous (but time-consuming) identification of several selected Amanita species was reported [27]. Previously, we have demonstrated the feasibility of a rapid direct PCR approach for toxic plant detection with diluted gastric contents from a forensic case [28]. In the present study, a similar strategy was developed for the detection of deadly poisonous European species of the genus Amanita, namely A. phalloides, A. virosa and A. verna, respectively. PCR primers were designed that target discriminatory polymorphic sequences located in the nuclear ribosomal DNA. A series of experiments was conducted that follows the course of mushroom food processing and consumption. A variety of test samples, including homogenized mixed mushrooms (raw, fried, digested) and fecal preparations were subjected to analysis by direct PCR. Target amplification by direct PCR was successful with raw, fried and digested mushrooms. With the use of a short protocol for feces pre¬processing and a modified PCR reaction mix, we were further able to discover highly diluted A. phalloides traces in spiked stool specimens and to provide confirming molecular evidence in clinical cases of suspected mushroom poisoning.