The following is a review of some of the work we have done since 2004 regarding the importance of molds and their mycotoxins in the phenomenon of sick building syndrome (SBS). In these studies we showed that the macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins (MTM) of Stachybotrys chartarum (SC) are easily dissociated from the surface of the organism as it grows and could therefore be consequently spread in buildings as the fungus experiences additional water events. We then showed that SC and Penicillium chrysogenum (PC) colonies remain viable long after a water source has been removed, and the MTM produced by SC remain toxic over extended periods of time. We next showed that PC when inhaled, can release in vivo, a protease allergen that can cause a significant allergic inflammatory reaction in the lungs of mice. We then showed, in a laboratory study, that the MTM of SC can become airborne attached to spores or SC particulates smaller than spores. Following that study, we next showed that the same phenomenon actually occurred in SC infested buildings where people were complaining of health problems potentially associated with SBS. Finally, we were able to demonstrate the presence of MTM in the sera of individuals who had been exposed to SC in indoor environments. This last study was done with enough mold exposed individuals to allow for the statistical significance of SC exposure to be evaluated.
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4.
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5.
Brasel TL, Martin JM, Carriker CG, Wilson SC, and Straus DC ( 2005b) Detection of airborne Stachybotrys chartarum macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in the indoor environment. Applied and Environmental Microbiology71: 7376-7388.
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18.
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Karunasena E., Markham N., Brasel T., Cooley JD, and Straus DC ( 2000) Evaluation of fungal growth on cellulose containing and inorganic ceiling tile. Mycopathologia150: 91-95.
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Schwab CJ, Cooley JD, Brasel T., Jumper CA, Graham SC, and Straus DC ( 2003) Characterization of exposure to low levels of viable Penicillium chrysogenum conidia and allergic sensitization induced by a protease allergen extract from viable P. chrysogenum conidia in mice. Int Arch Allergy and Immunology130: 200-208.
37.
Schwab CJ, Cooley JD, Jumper CJ, Graham SC, and Straus DC ( 2004) Allergic inflammation induced by a Penicillium chrysogenum conidia-associated allergen extract in a murine model. Allergy59: 758-765.
38.
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42.
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