Michael R. Gray, MD, MPH, Progressive Healthcare Group, POB 1819, 300 South Ocotillo, Benson, AZ 85602, 520-586-9111, docmike007@aol.com

Study is part of a larger multicenter investigation of patients with multiple health complaints attributable to confirmed exposure to moldy bioaerosols in water-damaged buildings. The author presents data on symptoms; clinical chemistries; abnormalities in pulmonary function; alterations in T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells; the presence of autoantibodies (i.e., antinuclear autoantibodies [ANA], autoantibodies against smooth muscle [ASM], and autoantibodies against central nervous system [CNS] and peripheral nervous system [PNS] myelins)(?Au: ok?yes ). A total of 209 adults, 42.7 ± 16 yr of age (mean ± standard deviation), were examined and tested. The moldy bioaerosol exposed patients reported a greater frequency and intensity of symptoms, particularly neurological symptoms, when compared with controls. The percentages of exposed individuals with increased lymphocyte phenotypes were: B cells (CD20), 75.6%; CD5CD25, 68.9%; CD3CD26, 91.2%; CD8HLR–DR+, 62%; and CD8CD38, 56.6%; whereas other phenotypes were decreased: CD8CD11b+, 15.6% and CD3CD16CD56, 38.5%. Mitogenesis to phytohemagglutinin was decreased in 26.2% of the exposed patients, but only 5.9 % had decreased response to concanavalin A. PFTs revealed mean FEF75% = 52% of predicted values. Conclusion:Exposure to moldy bioaerosols and the associated mycotoxins in water-damaged buildings leads to multiple health problems involving the CNS, pulmonary, and immune systems, in addition to allergies. Mold exposure also initiates multiple inflammatory processes. The author proposes the term “mixed mold mycotoxicosis” for the multisystem illness observed in these patients.

Learning Objectives:

1.Recognize the twenty most common symptoms reported by patients exposed to mixeed colonies of mold, and their associated mycotoxins. 2.Appreciate mold induced immuntoxicity with mixed features of hyperactivation, and evidence of simultaneous immune suppression.
• Learn to recognize several causes of small airways obstruction.
• Become familiar with immune markers confirming degenerative neurologic changes in exposed patients.

Keywords: Indoor Environment, Environmental Health Hazards

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.