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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:
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.