Mold and Human Health: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

Pettigrew, H. David; Selmi, Carlo; Teuber, Suzanne S.; Gershwin, M. Eric

doi:10.1007/s12016-009-8175-5

Cited by 20 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…These include Allergic Bronchopulmonary Mycosis (ABPM), Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS) and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HSP). 45 While exposure to fungi clearly can worsen each of these conditions, complete fungal avoidance has not been shown to result in clinical improvement. The goal of environmental control for these disorders therefore is to avoid making them worse.…”

Section: Other Hypersensitivity Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure and Health Effects of Fungi on Humans

Larenas‐Linnemann

Barnes²,

Baxi

et al. 2016

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice

190

123

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Fungi are ubiquitous microorganisms that are present in outdoor and indoor environments. Previous research has found relationships between environmental fungal exposures and human health effects. We reviewed recent articles focused on fungal exposure and dampness as risk factors for respiratory disease development, symptoms and hypersensitivity. In particular, we reviewed the evidence suggesting that early exposure to dampness or fungi is associated with development of asthma and increased asthma morbidity. While outdoor exposure to high concentrations of spores can cause health effects such as asthma attacks in association with thunderstorms, most people appear to be relatively unaffected unless they are sensitized to specific genera. Indoor exposure and dampness, on the other hand, appears to be associated with increased risk of developing asthma in young children and asthma morbidity in individuals who have asthma. These are important issues because they provide a rationale for interventions that might be considered for homes and buildings in which there is increased fungal exposure. In addition to rhinitis and asthma, fungus exposure is associated with a number of other illnesses including allergic bronchopulmonary mycoses, allergic fungal sinusitis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Additional research is necessary to establish causality and evaluate interventions for fungal and dampness-related health effects.

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Section: Other Hypersensitivity Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure and Health Effects of Fungi on Humans

Larenas‐Linnemann

Barnes²,

Baxi

et al. 2016

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice

190

123

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show abstract

“…Fungi cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, aspergilloma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, fungal sinusitis and constitutional symptoms like fatigue, nausea, cognitive dysfunction, immune dysfunction and toxic mold syndrome [5,6]. A meta-analysis showed that building dampness and molds are associated with 30-50% increase in respiratory and asthma related health outcomes [table/ Fig-2a,b]: Resolution of lesions seen in both lung fields, few areas of mosaic perfusion persists.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Housewife Exposed to Aspergillus flavus in Poor Living Conditions: A Case Report

Fernandes

Estibeiro

Mesquita

2016

JCDR

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A 43-year-old housewife presented with chief complaints of dry cough, breathlessness and chest discomfort for over two years. Prior to presenting to us, she had received antibiotics, bronchodilators and steroids on multiple occasions but with temporary relief. There was no history of haemoptysis, chest pain, fever, night sweats or weight loss. She did not have significant past or family history or any addictions.Her respiratory rate was 20 breaths/ min, pulse 90/min, blood pressure 120/80mmHg and oxygen saturation 97% on room air.Physical examination was normal. Auscultation of lung revealed bilateral crepitations and rhonchi. Cardiac, per abdomen and CNS examination were normal. Investigations showed normal haematology, renal and liver function and a negative collagen profile.Chest X-ray showed diffuse haziness in bilateral lung fields. Pulmonary function test (spirometry) was normal. HRCT thorax b] showed areas of ground glass opacities, poorly defined small centrilobular nodules and areas of mosaic perfusion, findings classical of hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Patient was always a housewife and never had pets. We could not identify any allergens from her history and in view of diagnosis of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis bronchoalveolar lavage was planned. However, she did not give consent. She was started on prednisolone at 1mg/ kg/day and tapered over six months. Patient responded well to the treatment [Table /Fig-2a,b].Within two months patient relapsed. As history could not reveal any offending agent and she being a housewife, it was decided to inspect her home for any possible risk factor. Her house had a musty odour. She was living in a three room house with moist walls and roofs, covered with molds [Table/ Fig-3a,b]. Scrapings were taken from multiple sites from the walls. Examination on 10% KOH showed hyaline septate hyphae, 3-4µ with dichotomous branching. Growth on Sabouraud's dextrose agar from all sites was identified as Aspergillus flavus [Table /Fig-4 We report a case of subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a housewife who despite being symptomatic remained undiagnosed for two years. She showed a good response to therapy, but soon relapsed. Visit to her home revealed that she lived in a damp house full of moldy walls.

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“…Wood and wood-based products, such as building materials, are subject to exposure to indoor fungi contaminated environments, causing sick-building syndrome (SBS) or toxic-mold syndrome (Bush et al 2006;Pettigrew et al 2010). With a broad range of pH and temperature values, fungi easily grow when the moisture content of wood exceeds 60% (Viitanen and Ritschkoff 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mold Invasion on the Surface of Wood/Polypropylene Composites Produced from Aqueous Pretreated Wood Particles, Part 1: Date Palm Midrib

et al. 2017

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The effect of particle pretreatments on the biodeterioration of woodplastic composites (WPCs) was investigated. WPCs made from untreated and pretreated frond midrib particles of date palm were used. Before the addition of a coupling agent, the wood particles were pretreated or extracted with either cold or hot water and mixed with polypropylene to produce panels, which were then superficially inoculated with an ascomycete's fungus Trichoderma harzianum T6776. The WPC surfaces were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) measurements. In comparison with the control, an intensive growth of T. harzianum hyphae was found over the WPC surface manufactured from untreated date palm midrib particles with the colonies clearly visible. The pretreatments of date palm particles reduced the growth of T. harzianum in comparison with the control and untreated particles. The results suggested that particle pretreatments could be a suitable way to limit the growth of molds over WPC surfaces made from date palm midrib.

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Mold and Human Health: Separating the Wheat from the Chaff

Cited by 20 publications

References 84 publications

Exposure and Health Effects of Fungi on Humans

Exposure and Health Effects of Fungi on Humans

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis in a Housewife Exposed to Aspergillus flavus in Poor Living Conditions: A Case Report

Mold Invasion on the Surface of Wood/Polypropylene Composites Produced from Aqueous Pretreated Wood Particles, Part 1: Date Palm Midrib

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