Medical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure

Hurraß, Julia; Heinzow, Birger; Aurbach, Ute; Bergmann, Karl‐Christian; Bufe, Albrecht; Buzina, Walter; Cornely, Oliver A.; Engelhart, Steffen; Fischer, Guido; Gabrio, T.; Heinz, Werner; Herr, Caroline; Kleine‐Tebbe, Jörg; Klimek, Ludger; Köberle, Martin; Lichtnecker, Herbert; Lob-Corzilius, Thomas; Merget, R.; Mülleneisen, Norbert; Nowak, Dennis; Rabe, Uta; Raulf, Monika; Seidl, Hildegard; Steiß, Jens-Oliver; Szewszyk, Regine; Thomas, Peter A.; Valtanen, Kerttu; Wiesmüller, Gerhard Andreas

doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2016.11.012

Cited by 74 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 172 publications

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“…Mould odour has been connected to unhealthy indoor air and is a possible indicator of active fungal growth (Mendell and Kumagai ). However, no guidelines for unhealthy levels of indoor mould exposure have been defined (Bennet and Inamdar ; Hurraß et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Penicillium expansum strain isolated from indoor building material was able to grow on gypsum board and emitted guttation droplets containing chaetoglobosins and communesins A, B and D

et al. 2019

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AimsEmission of toxic metabolites in guttation droplets of common indoor fungi is not well documented. The aims of this study were (i) to compare mycotoxins in biomass and guttation droplets from indoor fungi from a building following health complaints among occupants, (ii) to identify the most toxic strain and to test if mycotoxins in guttation liquids migrated trough air and (iii) to test if toxigenic Penicillium expansum strains grew on gypsum board.Methods and ResultsBiomass suspensions and guttation droplets from individual fungal colonies representing Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Penicillium, Stachybotrys and Paecilomyces were screened toxic to mammalian cells. The most toxic strain, RcP61 (CBS 145620), was identified as Pen. expansum Link by sequence analysis of the ITS region and a calmodulin gene fragment, and confirmed by the Westerdijk Institute based on ITS and beta‐tubulin sequences. The strain was isolated from a cork liner, was able to grow on gypsum board and to produce toxic substances in biomass extracts and guttation droplets inhibiting proliferation of somatic cells (PK‐15, MNA, FL) in up to 20 000‐fold dilutions. Toxic compounds in biomass extracts and/or guttation droplets were determined by HPLC and LC‐MS. Strain RcP61 produced communesins A, B and D, and chaetoglobosins in guttation droplets (the liquid emitted from them) and biomass extracts. The toxins of the guttation droplets migrated c. 1 cm through air and condensed on a cool surface.ConclusionsThe mycotoxin‐containing guttation liquids emitted by Pen. expansum grown on laboratory medium exhibited airborne migration and were >100 times more toxic in bioassays than guttation droplets produced by indoor isolates of the genera Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Stachybotrys and Paecilomyces. Significance and Impact of the StudyToxic exudates produced by Pen. expansum containing communesins A, B and D, and chaetoglobosins were transferable by air. This may represent a novel mechanism of mycotoxin dispersal in indoor environment.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, no guidelines for unhealthy levels of indoor mould exposure have been defined (Bennet and Inamdar 2015;Hurraß et al 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Penicillium expansum strain isolated from indoor building material was able to grow on gypsum board and emitted guttation droplets containing chaetoglobosins and communesins A, B and D

et al. 2019

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“…In our study, we also observed a cutaneous effect (itching) in relationship to the airborne concentration of A. versicolor, which has not been previously described to our knowledge. Although skin reactions have previously been described (atopic dermatitis, eczema), the association with a mold exposure was not demonstrated [56,57]. The relationship observed between itching and A. versicolor seems not to be monotonic (the concentration of A. versicolor only increased for strong symptoms).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Relationships between Exposure to Bioaerosols, Moldy Surface and Symptoms in French Mold-Damaged Homes

et al. 2020

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Air quality in homes is a major concern in Europe, where people spend most of their time indoors. According to the World Health Organization, numerous houses are subject to dampness that can lead to mold growth, with associated health and economic consequences. Our goal was to characterize the human exposure to bioaerosols in French mold-damaged houses but also to study the effects of these bioaerosols as suffered by the inhabitants of these houses. A global approach including both field study and laboratory experimentation was used to investigate 48 mold-damaged homes. Among a wide fungal diversity, 101 viable species, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium chrysogenum and P. crustosum were observed as recurrent species and could be used as microbial indicators of indoor air quality. Statistical analyses highlighted a relationship between the concentrations of these recurrent molds and the levels of surface contamination by molds in homes. Fever, cough, dyspnea, flu-like symptoms were observed with several fungal strains (A. versicolor, P. chrysogenum and P. crustosum) or in relation to moldy odor. Relationships between particles of 2 to 15 µm diameter and headaches and dizziness were also observed. In our study, we identified a cutaneous effect (itching) in relationship to the airborne concentration of A. versicolor.

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“…Other risk factors include visual display unit work and technical causes such as inadequate ventilation [ 24 ], low humidity [ 25 ], or high temperature, especially regarding eye symptoms [ 17 ]. Further, mold in moisture-damaged buildings is another exposure risk that may deteriorate the IAQ and impact susceptible people, e.g., with asthma symptoms [ 26 , 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Consequently, there is an interest in exploring potential synergies between psychosocial stress and indoor air on health and comfort of office workers [ 20 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. It is essential to acknowledge how odor annoyance—e.g., caused by degraded building materials [ 35 ] or generated from moisture-damage (MVOCs)—may influence general comfort; psychic reactions with nonspecific symptoms are plausible, but they would not induce direct physiological reactions like sensory irritation in eyes and upper airways [ 27 , 36 ]. Typical symptoms after exposure to unpleasant odors are fatigue, impaired power of concentration, headache, nausea, and insomnia, including possible mood disorders [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality Problems in Office-Like Environments: Role of Occupational Health Services

Carrer

Wolkoff

2018

IJERPH

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There is an increasing concern about indoor air quality (IAQ) and its impact on health, comfort, and work-performance in office-like environments and their workers, which account for most of the labor force. The Scientific Committee on Indoor Air Quality and Health of the ICOH (Int. Comm. Occup. Health) has discussed the assessment and management of IAQ problems and proposed a stepwise approach to be conducted by a multidisciplinary team. It is recommended to integrate the building assessment, inspection by walk-through of the office workplace, questionnaire survey, and environmental measurements, in that order. The survey should cover perceived IAQ, symptoms, and psychosocial working aspects. The outcome can be used for mapping the IAQ and to prioritize the order in which problems should be dealt with. Individual health surveillance in relation to IAQ is proposed only when periodical health surveillance is already performed for other risks (e.g., video display units) or when specific clinical examination of workers is required due to the occurrence of diseases that may be linked to IAQ (e.g., Legionnaire’s disease), recurrent inflammation, infections of eyes, respiratory airway effects, and sensorial disturbances. Environmental and personal risk factors should also be compiled and assessed. Workplace health promotion should include programs for smoking cessation and stress and IAQ management.

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Medical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure

Cited by 74 publications

References 172 publications

Penicillium expansum strain isolated from indoor building material was able to grow on gypsum board and emitted guttation droplets containing chaetoglobosins and communesins A, B and D

Penicillium expansum strain isolated from indoor building material was able to grow on gypsum board and emitted guttation droplets containing chaetoglobosins and communesins A, B and D

Relationships between Exposure to Bioaerosols, Moldy Surface and Symptoms in French Mold-Damaged Homes

Assessment of Indoor Air Quality Problems in Office-Like Environments: Role of Occupational Health Services

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