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Characterization of Stachybotrys from Water-Damaged Buildings Based on Morphology, Growth, and Metabolite Production

Birgitte Andersen, Kristian Fog Nielsen, Bruce B. Jarvis2002MycologiaJournal Article
10.2307/3761773PubMed
CardiovascularEndocrine (ADH/ACTH/MSH)GastrointestinalHypothalamic-PituitaryImmune/InnateMusculoskeletalNeurologicalOcularRespiratory/Sinus
Bacterial EndotoxinsIndoor Mold (Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, etc.)MycotoxinsVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Water-Damaged Buildings (WDB)

Abstract

Stachybotrys was found to be associated with idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants in Cleveland, Ohio. Since that time, considerable effort has been put into finding the toxic components responsible for the disease. The name Stachybotrys chartarum has been applied to most of these isolates, but inconsistent toxicity results and taxonomic confusion prompted the present study. In this study, 122 Stachybotrys isolates, mainly from water-damaged buildings, were characterized and identified by combining three different approaches: morphology, colony characteristics, and metabolite production. Two different Stachybotrys taxa, S. chartarum and one undescribed species, were found in water-damaged buildings regardless of whether the buildings were in Denmark, Finland, or the USA. Furthermore, two chemotypes could be distinguished in S. chartarum. One chemotype produced atranones, whereas the other was a macrocyclic trichothecene-producer. The second undescribed taxon produced atranones and could be differentiated from S. chartarum by its growth characteristics and pigment production. Our results correlate with different inflammatory and toxicological properties reported for these same isolates and show that the three taxa/chemotypes should be treated separately. The co-occurrence of these three taxa/chemotypes in water-damaged buildings explains the inconsistent results in the literature concerning toxicity of Stachybotrys isolated from that environment.

Key Biomarkers

Alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (MSH)Immunoglobulin E (IgE)LeptinMatrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9)Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)Visual Contrast Sensitivity (VCS)

Symptom Clusters

Constitutional: fatigue, night sweats, mood swings, appetite swingsGastrointestinal: excessive thirst, frequent urinationMusculoskeletal: muscle aches, joint pain, ice pick painNeurological: memory loss, difficulty with concentration, confusion, word finding difficulty, light sensitivityNeurological/Sensory: tingling in extremities, headacheRespiratory/Sinus: sinus congestion, cough, shortness of breath

Cited By (26)

  • Comparison of Inflammatory Responses in Mouse Lungs Exposed to Atranones A And C fromStachybotrys ChartarumJournal of Toxicology and Environmental Health · 2006
  • Sick building syndrome (SBS) and exposure to water-damaged buildings: Time series study, clinical trial and mechanismsNeurotoxicology and Teratology · 2006
  • Localization of Satratoxin-G in Stachybotrys chartarum Spores and Spore-Impacted Mouse Lung Using ImmunocytochemistryToxicologic Pathology · 2004
  • A time-series study of sick building syndrome: chronic, biotoxin-associated illness from exposure to water-damaged buildingsNeurotoxicology and Teratology · 2005
  • Stachybotrys chartarum: cause of human disease or media darling?Medical Mycology · 2003
  • Adverse human health effects associated with molds in the indoor environmentJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · 2003
  • Stachybotrys chartarum, Trichothecene Mycotoxins, and Damp Building–Related Illness: New Insights into a Public Health Enigma

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