Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective
TLDR
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.read more
Citations
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Characterization of airborne fungal levels after mold remediation.
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Inhalational mold toxicity: fact or fiction? a clinical review of 50 cases
Barzin Khalili,Emil J. Bardana +1 more
TL;DR: The clinical presentation of patients with perceived mold-induced toxic effects is characterized by a disparate constellation of symptoms, and the core symptoms of toxic mold syndrome appear to mimic what has been observed with other pseudodiagnostic categories, such as sick building syndrome and idiopathic chemical intolerance.
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Biological Composition of Respirable Particulate Matter in an Industrial Vicinity in South Africa
Oyewale Mayowa Morakinyo,Matlou Ingrid Mokgobu,Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola,Tshifhiwa Godobedzha +3 more
TL;DR: Bacteria and fungi are part of the bioaerosol components of PM2.5 and their inhalation health risks in an industrial vicinity in South Africa were determined and children inhaled a higher dose of bacterial and fungal aerosols than adults.
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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.