Immune thrombocytopenia after chaga mushroom intake in a patient with autoimmune disease: a case report

¹Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea
²Department of Emergency Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
³Department of Hematology/Oncology, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea
⁴Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea

Correspondence

Hyun Wook Ryoo ,Tel: 053-420-6415, Fax: 053-428-2820, Email: ryoo@knu.ac.kr,

Received: July 16, 2025; Revised: August 16, 2025 Accepted: August 18, 2025. Published online: August 28, 2025.

ABSTRACT

This paper reports a case of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in a 61-year-old female patient with a history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis following 2 months of chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) ingestion. She presented with spontaneous bruising and petechiae. The laboratory tests revealed severe thrombocytopenia. A bone marrow biopsy showed increased young megakaryocytes consistent with ITP. Her platelet counts normalized after discontinuing the chaga mushroom and initiating corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. chaga mushroom has immunomodulatory effects, including activation of T cells and macrophages. In patients with existing autoimmune diseases, however, such stimulation may disrupt immune tolerance and trigger additional autoimmune responses. This case suggests that immune-enhancing supplements like chaga mushroom may exacerbate or induce autoimmune conditions. Careful history taking regarding supplement use is essential in patients presenting with new-onset autoimmune manifestations.

Key words: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura; Hashimoto disease; Autoimmune diseases; Inonotus obliquus