← Explorer/Network

Fungi: toxic killers or unavoidable nuisances?

Harriet A. Burge2001Annals of Allergy Asthma & ImmunologyReview
10.1016/s1081-1206(10)62342-3PubMed
CardiovascularEndocrine (ADH/ACTH/MSH)GastrointestinalHypothalamic-PituitaryImmune/InnateMusculoskeletalNeurologicalOcularRespiratory/Sinus
ActinomycetesBacterial EndotoxinsIndoor Mold (Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, etc.)MycotoxinsVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)Water-Damaged Buildings (WDB)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This discussion is focused on the many roles of fungi in human health, and also to put the mycotoxin literature into perspective. DATA SOURCES: Data are derived from the literature referenced in PubMed from the National Library of Medicine, earlier references in the authors' reprint collection, and ongoing research. Studies for review were either selected from the peer-reviewed literature or from standard texts that are well recognized in the field. RESULTS: The review yielded many studies of the role of fungi in allergic disease, but none that systematically documented such a role for mycotoxins or fungal volatiles. Many case studies were found, but none of these unequivocally document a cause/effect relationship between mycotoxin exposure by inhalation and human disease in residential, school, or office settings. CONCLUSIONS: The review led to the conclusion that that the primary result from fungal exposure is allergic disease, and that the evidence for inhalation disease resulting from mycotoxin exposure in residential and office settings is extremely weak.

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: excessive thirst, frequent urination, night sweatsFatigue, muscle aches, joint painMood: mood swings, appetite swingsNeurological: headache, light sensitivity, memory loss, concentration difficulty, confusion, word finding difficulty, tingling in extremitiesPain: ice pick pain, chronic painRespiratory: sinus congestion, cough, shortness of breath

Cited By (9)

  • Sick building syndrome (SBS) and exposure to water-damaged buildings: Time series study, clinical trial and mechanismsNeurotoxicology and Teratology · 2006
  • A time-series study of sick building syndrome: chronic, biotoxin-associated illness from exposure to water-damaged buildingsNeurotoxicology and Teratology · 2005
  • Adverse human health effects associated with molds in the indoor environmentJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine · 2003
  • Toxic mold and mycotoxins in neurotoxicity cases: Stachybotrys, Fusarium, Trichoderma, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, TrichothecenesPsychological Reports · 2003
  • Mycosands: Fungal diversity and abundance in beach sand and recreational waters — Relevance to human healthThe Science of The Total Environment · 2021
  • Occupational Microbiological Biohazards – Exposure, Detection, and DiseasePatty's Industrial Hygiene · 2021

Related Papers

  • Synergistic interaction in simultaneous exposure to Streptomyces californicus and Stachybotrys chartarumEnvironmental Health Perspectives · 2004 · 15 shared tags
  • Correction to “Maitotoxin induces biphasic interleukin-1β secretion and membrane blebbing in murine macrophages”Mol Pharmacol · 2004 · 15 shared tags
  • HUMAN VISUAL FUNCTION IN THE NORTH CAROLINA CLINICAL STUDYON POSSIBLE ESTUARY-ASSOCIATED SYNDROMEJournal of Toxicology and Environmental Health · 2001 · 15 shared tags
  • Cholestyramine protection against ochratoxin A toxicity: role of ochratoxin A sorption by the resin and bile acid enterohepatic circulationJournal of Food Protection · 1999 · 15 shared tags
  • In vitro and in vivo studies to assess the effectiveness of cholestyramine as a binding agent for fumonisinsMycopathologia · 2001 · 15 shared tags
  • Occurrence of Toxigenic Aspergillus versicolor Isolates and Sterigmatocystin in Carpet Dust from Damp Indoor EnvironmentsApplied and Environmental Microbiology · 2002 ·
Sources and sinks of the air microbiome
DR-NTU (Nanyang Technological University) · 2021
  • Molds and Respiratory DiseaseRespiratory medicine · 2022
  • Medically unexplained symptoms and neuropsychological assessment.Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology · 2004

    • References (7)

    • Reduction of Pulmonary Toxicity of Stachybotrys chartarum Spores by Methanol Extraction of MycotoxinsApplied and Environmental Microbiology · 2000
    • Effects of Intranasal Exposure to Spores of Stachybotrys atra in MiceToxicological Sciences · 1997
    • Environmental Risk Factors Associated With Pediatric Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemorrhage and Hemosiderosis in a Cleveland CommunityPEDIATRICS · 1997
    • Trichothecene mycotoxins in aerosolized conidia of Stachybotrys atraApplied and Environmental Microbiology · 1987
    • Respiratory Effects in Mice Exposed to Airborne Emissions fromStachybotrys chartarumand Implications for Risk AssessmentPharmacology & Toxicology · 1998
    • Airborne outbreak of trichothecene toxicosisAtmospheric Environment (1967) · 1986
    • Induction of Cytotoxicity and Production of Inflammatory Mediators in RAW264.7 Macrophages by Spores Grown on Six Different PlasterboardsInhalation Toxicology · 2001
    15 shared tags