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Studies of animals orally given such common mycotoxins as aflatoxins, ochratoxins and trichothecenes show considerable immune impairment, including depression of T cell, B cell and macrophage immunities.''" Human cell-line studies have also found that many mycotoxins can suppress T cell, B cell and NK activity at serum concentrations similar to those found in indoor- mould-exposed patients.'"* Thus, airborne exposure to mycotoxins is seen to cause harmful effects to the immune system. Studies of animals orally given such common mycotoxins as abnormal in indoor-mould-exposed patients.” aflatoxins, ochratoxins and trichothecenes show considerable Additional studies have reported that mould-exposed patients immune impairment, including depression of T cell, B cell and do significantly more poorly on tests of attention, balance, macrophage immunities.''"" Human cell-line studies have also reaction time, verbal recall, concentration, memory and finger found that many mycotoxins can suppress T cell, B cell and NK _tapping.** "+ Most of these patients also experienced many activity at serum concentrations similar to those found in indoor- _ health problems including chronic fatigue, headaches, insomnia, mould-exposed patients.'"* and decreased balance, concentration and attention. Thus, airborne exposure to mycotoxins is seen to cause harmful Studies of 10 indoor-mould-exposed children and 378 indoor- effects to the immune system. mould-exposed adults found significantly more neurophysiological abnormalities than in Neurological Dysfunction controls; these included abnormal Indoor airborne mould exposure EEGs and abnormal brainstem, visual causes neurologic dysfunction and Indoor airborne mould and somatosensory-evoked potentials cognitive deficits. Clinical reports on . as compared to 10 control children.” large numbers of mould-exposed exposure causes neurologic The large number of objective patients found significant fatigue and dysfunction and cognitive neuropsychological findings in weakness in 70%-—100% of cases, and 4A 5 4 symptomatic patients support the neurocognitive dysfunction including deficits...including memory findings that exposure to indoor moulds memory loss, irritability, anxiety and loss, irritability, anxiety can have adverse health effects. depression in over 40% of the patients. . Numbness, tingling and tremor were and depression... Renal Dysfunction also found in a significant number of patients." These signs and symptoms kidney dysfunction. It is well known constitute classic manifestations of that ochratoxin-contaminated food is neurotoxicity." nephrotoxic.’ Indoor exposure to ochratoxin may also be A study of 43 mould-exposed patients found they performed nephrotoxic. A study was presented of a family who presented significantly more poorly than 202 controls on many with increasing thirst and urination, lethargy and skin rash. neuropsychiatric tests including balance sway speed, blinking Considerable amounts of ochratoxin were found in the house dust. reflex, colour perception, reaction times and left grip strength The family recovered after moving to another home.* (P<0.0001 in each case).'” Quantitative electro-encephalogram studies have also noted _Life-Threatening Fungal Infections in the Immuno- significant longer nerve latencies in fungus-exposed patients." A | Compromised Exposure to fungi may also cause triple-headed SPECT brain scan revealed neurotoxic patterns in In recent years, the incidence of life-threatening infections in 26 of 30 (87%) mould-exposed patients.'' immuno-compromised patients from Aspergillus and other An iriscorder study of autonomic nervous function in 60 mould- | common fungi has been growing rapidly. '*'”? Invasive exposed patients found 95% had abnormal autonomic responses aspergillosis is very common among immuno-compromised of the pupil.” Visual contrast sensitivity studies were often patients, with reported incidence rates in the following patients: lung transplants, 17%-26%; allogenic bone marrow transplants, 5%-15%; acute leukaemia, 5%-24%; and heart transplants, 2%-13%.'*"! Even with strong anti-fungal drugs and intense hospital treatment, mortality rates from invasive aspergillosis range from 50% to 99% in the immuno- compromised.'*'"3 Environmental control plays a key role in preventing Aspergillus infections. Several studies have linked hospital construction work to increased rates of invasive aspergillosis.'*"’ Environmental controls such as using HEPA filters, sealing rooms, cleaning rooms regularly and using anti- fungal copper-8-quinolate paint have been shown to significantly reduce airborne levels of Aspergillus and significantly reduce rates of invasive aspergillosis in immuno-compromised hospital patients." Other recent research has indicated that a large number of Aspergillus spores can The image above illustrates conidiophores and conidia of a Stachybotrys species collected on tape spread through water supplies and that from a basement in southern Quebec. cleaning shower facilities can significantly (Source: http://www.botany.utoronto.ca/ResearchLabs/MallochLab/Malloch/Moulds/Source.html) lower airborne levels of Aspergillus.’ exposure causes neurologic dysfunction and cognitive deficits. -including memory ee el loss, irritability, anxiety and depression... 7 The image above illustrates conidiophores and conidia of a Stachybotrys species collected on tape from a basement in southern Quebec. (Source: http:/www.botany.utoronto.ca/ResearchLabs/MallochLab/Malloch/Moulds/Source.html) 22 + NEXUS JUNE — JULY 2006 Indoor airborne mould www.nexusmagazine.com