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Journal ArticleDOI

Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective

01 Jan 2003-Clinical Microbiology Reviews (American Society for Microbiology)-Vol. 16, Iss: 1, pp 144-172
TL;DR: The evidence regarding indoor mold exposure and mycotoxicosis is reviewed, with an emphasis on S. chartarum, and possible end-organ effects, including pulmonary, immunologic, neurologic, and oncologic disorders are examined.
Abstract: Damp buildings often have a moldy smell or obvious mold growth; some molds are human pathogens. This has caused concern regarding health effects of moldy indoor environments and has resulted in many studies of moisture- and mold-damaged buildings. Recently, there have been reports of severe illness as a result of indoor mold exposure, particularly due to Stachybotrys chartarum. While many authors describe a direct relationship between fungal contamination and illness, close examination of the literature reveals a confusing picture. Here, we review the evidence regarding indoor mold exposure and mycotoxicosis, with an emphasis on S. chartarum. We also examine possible end-organ effects, including pulmonary, immunologic, neurologic, and oncologic disorders. We discuss the Cleveland infant idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage reports in detail, since they provided important impetus for concerns about Stachybotrys. Some valid concerns exist regarding the relationship between indoor mold exposure and human disease. Review of the literature reveals certain fungus-disease associations in humans, including ergotism (Claviceps species), alimentary toxic aleukia (Fusarium), and liver disease (Aspergillys). While many papers suggest a similar relationship between Stachybotrys and human disease, the studies nearly uniformly suffer from significant methodological flaws, making their findings inconclusive. As a result, we have not found well-substantiated supportive evidence of serious illness due to Stachybotrys exposure in the contemporary environment. To address issues of indoor mold-related illness, there is an urgent need for studies using objective markers of illness, relevant animal models, proper epidemiologic techniques, and examination of confounding factors.
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Book
01 Oct 2004
TL;DR: Damp indoor spaces and health , Damp indoor Spaces and health and health, کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز
Abstract: Damp indoor spaces and health , Damp indoor spaces and health , کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز

402 citations


Cites background from "Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and S..."

  • ...…spaces and health or of specific exposures related to damp indoor spaces have been published in recent years, including Bornehag et al. (2001), Fung and Hughson (2003), Kolstad et al. (2002), Kuhn and Ghannoum (2003), Peat et al. (1998), Piecková and Jesenská (1999), and Robbins et al. (2000)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: While there is general agreement that the diet represents an important source of human exposure to trichothecenes, risk assessment from non-dietary routes of exposure is complicated by the limited epidemiological data that are currently available.

325 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work has identified eight major categories of sources of airborne bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the built environment: humans; pets; plants; plumbing systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; mold; dust resuspension; and the outdoor environment.
Abstract: Each day people are exposed to millions of bioaerosols, including whole microorganisms, which can have both beneficial and detrimental effects. The next chapter in understanding the airborne microbiome of the built environment is characterizing the various sources of airborne microorganisms and the relative contribution of each. We have identified the following eight major categories of sources of airborne bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the built environment: humans; pets; plants; plumbing systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; mold; dust resuspension; and the outdoor environment. Certain species are associated with certain sources, but the full potential of source characterization and source apportionment has not yet been realized. Ideally, future studies will quantify detailed emission rates of microorganisms from each source and will identify the relative contribution of each source to the indoor air microbiome. This information could then be used to probe fundamental relationships between specific sources and human health, to design interventions to improve building health and human health, or even to provide evidence for forensic investigations.

280 citations


Cites methods from "Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and S..."

  • ..., using a dehumidifier in basements) will in most cases limit fungal spore production [84, 85]....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI

3,566 citations

Book
01 Jan 1986
TL;DR: Casarett and Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons as mentioned in this paper is the most complete and up-to-date overview of the biomedical and environmental aspects of toxicology.
Abstract: The most trusted all-in-one overview of the biomedical and environmental aspects of toxicology - Now more complete, up-to-date, and in full color. It is a Doody's Core Title for 2015! New to the Eighth Edition Full-Color design to allow for a clearer interpretation of the basic components of toxicology featured throughout the text. Expanded tables, illustrations, and other visuals are updated with state-of-the-art standards that makes this edition even more current and relevant DVD with image bank features all tables and illustrations from the text in presentation-ready format. New Chapters include "Toxic Effects of Calories" and "Toxic Effects of Nanoparticles." The world's leading and most authoritative textbook on poisons has more to offer students, toxicologists, and pharmacologists than ever before. Now in full color, and thoroughly revised, the eighth edition of Casarett & Doull's Toxicology: The Basic Science of Poisons not only delivers a comprehensive review of the essential components of toxicology, it offers the most up-to-date, revealing, and in-depth look at the systemic responses of toxic substance available anywhere. Combined with the latest thinking by the field's foremost scholars plus solid coverage of general principles, modes of action, and chemical-specific toxicity, this landmark text continues to set the standard for toxicology references.

3,074 citations

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01 Jan 1977
TL;DR: This book covers broad aspects of clinical neurology necessary fro clinical practice, starting from patient approach, cardinal manifestations of neurological disease, to specific neruological diseases.
Abstract: This book covers broad aspects of clinical neurology necessary fro clinical practice. The organization is unique, starting from patient approach, cardinal manifestations of neurological disease, to specific neruological diseases. New developments in neurology, such as molecular neurology and genetics, are incorporated in this edition. The inherited metabolic, congenital, developmental, and psychiatric disorders are largely emphasized.

1,925 citations

01 Jan 1973
TL;DR: For example, the authors showed that government microcredit services are heavily subsidized and unsustainable, and are viewed by both government and central bank as a social, rather than a financial sector, program.
Abstract: for microfinance. While there are a number of small microfinance projects attempting to apply international lessons, they have minimal outreach in relation to the potential market demand. Far greater outreach is achieved by government microcredit services implemented as part of poverty eradication efforts. These services are heavily subsidized and unsustainable, and are viewed by both government and central bank as a social, rather than a financial sector, program.

1,634 citations

Journal Article

894 citations


"Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and S..." refers background in this paper

  • ...Nonetheless, HCC is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality in Asia and Africa, and epidemiological investigations have shown increased aflatoxin ingestion correlates with increased risk (179, 463)....

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