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
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Chemistry and Biology of Mycotoxins and Related Fungal Metabolites
Book
Damp Indoor Spaces and Health
TL;DR: Damp indoor spaces and health , Damp indoor Spaces and health and health, کتابخانه دیجیتال جندی شاپور اهواز
Journal ArticleDOI
Trichothecenes in the environment: relevance to human health.
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.
Journal ArticleDOI
Sources of airborne microorganisms in the built environment
Aaron J. Prussin,Linsey C. Marr +1 more
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.
References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
Measurements of airborne aflatoxins during the handling of contaminated corn
TL;DR: The results of this study indicate that the dust generated when handling contaminated commodities also may be contaminated and represent a potential inhalation hazard, coupled with the extreme toxicity and carcinogenicity previously demonstrated in animal studies, suggests that appropriate measures be taken to prevent worker exposure during handling of contaminated materials.
Journal ArticleDOI
Selected Mycotoxins: Ochratoxins, Trichothecenes, Ergot (Environmental Health Criteria 105). 263 Seiten. 5 Abb., 23 Tab. World Health Organization, Geneva 1990. Preis: 29,‐ Sw.fr.
Journal ArticleDOI
Toxins from moldy cereals
Journal ArticleDOI
Teratogenic Response by Hamsters, Rats and Mice to Aflatoxin B1
TL;DR: Aflatoxin B1 is a strong teratogen for the hamster, but its effect in rats is equivocal and it has been demonstrated that it binds to DNA in vitro and alters RNA metabolism in vivo.