Re: SNK on Responding to a Simple Question

January 25, 2008

Tony,

So, that is the crux of your newest gigantic beef with me? Wouldn't it have been easier just to write, "Sharon, Danny asked about infection". ? Maybe I missed it. Did you provide him information about infection when his request went out to the board?

Anyway, thanks for your concern for me and doing what you can to be my self appointed guardian angel, but I think I am doing okay at keeping myself honest...and a few others along the way, too.

Sharon

Sharon:

Regarding:

" Thus you didn't really answer the question.

Oh! You are really starting to put a bee in my bonnet!! If you are going

to comment on what you feel I am suppose to be doing or not doing, then I

would request that you read all of my posts before continually telling me what I

do wrong according to the Great Tony Havics. Apparently, you missed this

one. "

Look again.

Danny asked about household mold and "infection".

You replied with a(n unrelated) post on

" FYI. This one is just on asthma."

Asthma - Infection - not the same in my book or others that I have on the shelf, or are you re-writing medicine and science now?

Tony

Ps Just keeping you honest.

Who's never won? Biggest Grammy Award surprises of all time on AOL Music.

January 26, 2008

here is an article from a respected Indian neurology journal stating

that many immunocompetent Indian men end up with invasive

aspergillosis of the brain, from fungal infection " In moldy

environment " .

Read excerpt from paper and follow link below. Ive seen many like this.

REVIEW ARTICLE

Year : 2007 | Volume : 55 | Issue : 3 | Page : 198-215

Pathobiology of fungal infections of the central nervous system with

special reference to the Indian scenario

Shankar SK1, Mahadevan A1, Sundaram C2, Sarkar Chitra3, Chacko Geeta4,

Lanjewar DN5, Santosh Vani1, Yasha TC1, Radhakrishnan VV6

1 Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health

and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India

2 Department of Pathology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences,

Hyderabad, India

3 Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,

New Delhi, India

4 Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India

5 Department of Pathology, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group of

Hospitals, Mumbai, India

6 Department of Pathology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical

Sciences and Technology, Thiruvanathapuram, India

http://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2007;volume=55;iss\

ue=3;spage=198;epage=215;aulast=Shankar

" In India, sinocranial aspergillosis accounts for a significant

proportion of histologically verified cases reported [10],[96],

[110],[111],[112],[113],[114],[115],[116],[117],[118],[119] in

otherwise normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms that

account for the majority of cases from Western countries.

[75],[120],[121] Young men, otherwise normal, from rural areas are

most commonly affected. [122],[123],[124] Similarly high incidence of

fungal keratitis is reported from India in apparently normal hosts.

[125] The high incidence of fungal sinusitis and keratitis is related

to the spore content of pathogenic Aspergillus spp. in the

environment colonizing sinuses, nasopharynx, mastoid and middle ear.

In moldy environment, Aspergillus spore concentrations exceeding

12x10 6 m 3 are recorded. [126] Compromised sinus aeration, altered

immune response to fungi including poor nutritional status could

facilitate growth of the organism and eventual contiguous spread into

cranial cavity. [115],[127] Diamond and observed that though

patients appeared free from overt immunological compromise,

subclinical impairment of cell-mediated immunity might be present.

[128] "

January 26, 2008

Sharon:

You have taken the words below well out of context in this article.

" here is an article from a

respected Indian neurology journal stating

that many

immunocompetent Indian men end up with invasive

aspergillosis of the

brain, from fungal infection " In moldy

environment " . [my emphasis]

Wow. I didn’t read that at all.

Certainly it hits on a couple aspects I do agree with:

1. Certain Aspergillus sp. affect " normal "

people and should be looked at more closely.

2. In general, you'll note that the bulk of these

fungi cited are dimorphic.

However, the article states:

“The high incidence of fungal sinusitis and keratitis is related

to the spore content of pathogenic

Aspergillus spp. in the environment colonizing sinuses, nasopharynx,

mastoid and middle ear. In moldy environment,

Aspergillus spore concentrations exceeding 12x10 6 m 3 are recorded.

[126] Compromised sinus aeration, altered immune response to fungi including poor nutritional status could facilitate

growth of the organism and eventual contiguous spread into cranial cavity.

[115],[127]” [my emphasis]

Re-read this article. Even though you quote:

“sinocranial

aspergillosis accounts for a significant

proportion of histologically verified cases reported [10],[96],

[110],[111],[112],[113],[114],[115],[116],[117],[118],[119] in

otherwise normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms that

account for the majority of cases from Western countries.

[75],[120],[121] Young men, otherwise normal, from rural areas are

most commonly affected.”

The predisposing factors for the Aspergillosis

cases listed (Table III, associated with your text)were:

Diabetes

Renal transplant

Lymphoma

TB

Dialysis

Steriods

AML

Nosocomial (surprised it’s this low)

Intercranial surgery

Et cetera

Only 1 of 30 cases had no listed

pre-disposition, count them.

So the text only matches the secondary citations, not the evidence in

the article.

The other interesting piece of your quote was:

“otherwise

normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms that

account for the majority of cases from Western countries.”

Which says to me that is the US in the vast majority, it’s

immuno-compromised.

Not to mention that a secondary citation to 12,000,000 fungi per cubic

meter is: a) A secondary citation that wasn’t directly related to

the cases, and would not be not surprising since this is above known effect

levels, especially for known a known pathogen.

Now for Zygomycoses listed, 30 of 112 cases revealed no predisposition.

You missed a couple of useful phrases to support a case for competent

folks getting disease (Zygo), which says to me you either a) didn’t really

read it, or read what you wanted to, or c) didn’t understand what you

read.

Please read this stuff before you send it out as:

Proof or implied broad support with marketing phrases like “I’ve

seen many like this.”

Please run these by some that really really understands testing, tests,

and experimental methodology first.

Tony

Ps (Honestly though) Thanks for the article, I likely have an upcoming

case where this will be helpful to understand the background of incidence

values of zygo cases.

.......................................................................

" Tony " Havics,

CHMM, CIH, PE

pH2, LLC

5250 E US 36, Suite 830

Avon, IN

46123

www.ph2llc.com

off

fax

cell

90% of Risk Management is knowing where to place the decimal point...any

consultant can give you the other 10%(SM)

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statement.

January 26, 2008

Live I cut the below text from the abstract. Where did you find in this article where immunocompetent indian men end up with invasive aspergillosis?

Immunocompromised states like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), systemic neoplasia and organ transplantation have enhanced the frequency of fungal infections. High-risk behavior, IV drug abuse and air travel have led to the emergence of new fungal infections hitherto geographically localized

here is an article from a respected Indian neurology journal statingthat many immunocompetent Indian men end up with invasiveaspergillosis of the brain, from fungal infection " In moldyenvironment " .

Read excerpt from paper and follow link below. Ive seen many like this.REVIEW ARTICLEYear : 2007 | Volume : 55 | Issue : 3 | Page : 198-215Pathobiology of fungal infections of the central nervous system with

special reference to the Indian scenarioShankar SK1, Mahadevan A1, Sundaram C2, Sarkar Chitra3, Chacko Geeta4,Lanjewar DN5, Santosh Vani1, Yasha TC1, Radhakrishnan VV61 Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health

and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India2 Department of Pathology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences,Hyderabad, India3 Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi, India

4 Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India5 Department of Pathology, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group ofHospitals, Mumbai, India6 Department of Pathology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical

Sciences and Technology, Thiruvanathapuram, Indiahttp://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2007;volume=55;issue=3;spage=198;epage=215;aulast=Shankar

" In India, sinocranial aspergillosis accounts for a significantproportion of histologically verified cases reported [10],[96],[110],[111],[112],[113],[114],[115],[116],[117],[118],[119] inotherwise normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms that

account for the majority of cases from Western countries.[75],[120],[121] Young men, otherwise normal, from rural areas aremost commonly affected. [122],[123],[124] Similarly high incidence offungal keratitis is reported from India in apparently normal hosts.

[125] The high incidence of fungal sinusitis and keratitis is relatedto the spore content of pathogenic Aspergillus spp. in theenvironment colonizing sinuses, nasopharynx, mastoid and middle ear.In moldy environment, Aspergillus spore concentrations exceeding

12x10 6 m 3 are recorded. [126] Compromised sinus aeration, alteredimmune response to fungi including poor nutritional status couldfacilitate growth of the organism and eventual contiguous spread intocranial cavity. [115],[127] Diamond and observed that though

patients appeared free from overt immunological compromise,subclinical impairment of cell-mediated immunity might be present.[128] "

January 26, 2008

My house was full of mold and I lived in it for 14 years. Never getting sick until after my wholesale expousure to pesticides. Worked 14 hour days right up till my taking ill which happend gradually over a 6 month period

http://geocities.com/antares4141/moldpics/floor.html

I don't see the point in arguing about it when their is no decent evidence for mold causing illness in otherwise healthy individuals. I used to be pissed at medical dr's for discarding this idea but now that I understand

On the other hand their is plenty of evidence that mold makes people sick. (the sick people)

What we need to be pushing for is a study that focuses on already comprimised individuals that already react to mold. We first need to estabish the illness exist's if were ever going to be able to prove that mold alone is the cause.

I don't belive it but I may well be wrong and definantly want study's that focus on this issue after we've figured out a way to diagnose and treat all those that are ill.

Live I cut the below text from the abstract. Where did you find in this article where immunocompetent indian men end up with invasive aspergillosis?

Immunocompromised states like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) / acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), systemic neoplasia and organ transplantation have enhanced the frequency of fungal infections. High-risk behavior, IV drug abuse and air travel have led to the emergence of new fungal infections hitherto geographically localized

here is an article from a respected Indian neurology journal statingthat many immunocompetent Indian men end up with invasiveaspergillosis of the brain, from fungal infection " In moldyenvironment " .

Read excerpt from paper and follow link below. Ive seen many like this.REVIEW ARTICLEYear : 2007 | Volume : 55 | Issue : 3 | Page : 198-215Pathobiology of fungal infections of the central nervous system with

special reference to the Indian scenarioShankar SK1, Mahadevan A1, Sundaram C2, Sarkar Chitra3, Chacko Geeta4,Lanjewar DN5, Santosh Vani1, Yasha TC1, Radhakrishnan VV61 Department of Neuropathology, National Institute of Mental Health

and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India2 Department of Pathology, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences,Hyderabad, India3 Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi, India

4 Department of Pathology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India5 Department of Pathology, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group ofHospitals, Mumbai, India6 Department of Pathology, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical

Sciences and Technology, Thiruvanathapuram, Indiahttp://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2007;volume=55;issue=3;spage=198;epage=215;aulast=Shankar

" In India, sinocranial aspergillosis accounts for a significantproportion of histologically verified cases reported [10],[96],[110],[111],[112],[113],[114],[115],[116],[117],[118],[119] inotherwise normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms that

account for the majority of cases from Western countries.[75],[120],[121] Young men, otherwise normal, from rural areas aremost commonly affected. [122],[123],[124] Similarly high incidence offungal keratitis is reported from India in apparently normal hosts.

[125] The high incidence of fungal sinusitis and keratitis is relatedto the spore content of pathogenic Aspergillus spp. in theenvironment colonizing sinuses, nasopharynx, mastoid and middle ear.In moldy environment, Aspergillus spore concentrations exceeding

12x10 6 m 3 are recorded. [126] Compromised sinus aeration, alteredimmune response to fungi including poor nutritional status couldfacilitate growth of the organism and eventual contiguous spread intocranial cavity. [115],[127] Diamond and observed that though

patients appeared free from overt immunological compromise,subclinical impairment of cell-mediated immunity might be present.[128] "

January 27, 2008

,

You wrote: "I don't see the point in arguing about it when their is no decent evidence for mold causing illness in otherwise healthy individuals. I used to be pissed at medical dr's for discarding this idea but now that I understand"

With all due respect, you need to stop taking whatever happened to you, and based solely on this, make broad sweeping conclusions for the general population.

Of course there is evidence of mold causing serious illness in prior healthy people -those who are immunocompentent. Even the IOM Damp Indoor Spaces and Health Report notes that hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurs in "susceptable" people. Note, they did not say immunocompromised.

There are MANY reports on PubMed of mold causing illness in the immunocompetent.

So , you would do us all a favor if when you voice your opinions, you state it that this is what you know to be true for you....but NOT what you know to be true for all.

Simply use the scirus search engine. Search the words "Mold immunocompetent"

Here is just a small example of what one will find:

1.

Otitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent child Bhally, H.S. / Shields, C. / Lin, S.Y. / Merz, W.G. , International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 68 (7), p.975-978, Jul 2004 ...Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent child H.S. Bhally a * * Corresponding...is a ubiquitous saprophytic mold. It is considered an infrequent...rare. We report an 8-year-old immunocompetent male who developed otitis...is a ubiquitous saprophytic mold, isolated from soil and water...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

2.

Otitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent child. Bhally, H S / Shields, C / Lin, S Y / Merz, W G , International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 68 (7), p.975-978, Jul 2004 ...apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) is a ubiquitous saprophytic mold. It is considered an infrequent but important and emerging...S. apiospermum is extremely rare. We report an 8-year-old immunocompetent male who developed otitis media and otitis externa from S...

MEDLINE/PubMed Citation on

view all 18 results from MEDLINE/PubMed

similar results

3.

Central nervous system aspergillosis in immunocompetent patient Khachane, S.O. / kumar, V. / Sanghvi, D.A. , European Journal of Radiology Extra, 63 (2), p.53-56, Aug 2007 ...callosum Restricted diffusion Immunocompetent 1 Introduction Aspergilli...the case of a 7-year-old immunocompetent girl who presented with...to our case can occur in immunocompetent and moderately immunocompromised...Han Diagnosis of invasive mold infection by real-time quantitative...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

4.

Imaging of Bacterial Pulmonary Infection in the Immunocompetent Patient Washington, L. / Palacio, D. , Seminars in Roentgenology, 42 (2), p.122-145, Apr 2007 ...Bacterial Pulmonary Infection in the Immunocompetent Patient Lacey Washington MD ? lacey...and a common incidental finding in immunocompetent patients. Findings on chest radiography...the risk of pulmonary infection in immunocompetent patients was well understood, but...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

5.

MEDLINE/PubMed Citation on

6.

Clinical medicine and the budding science of indoor mold exposure Genuis, S.J. , European Journal of Internal Medicine, 18 (7), p.516-523, Nov 2007 ...1 Common sources of indoor mold Source Management Indoor plants...infection by molds and other fungi Mold elements can also directly...BlastomycesandCoccidioidescan also infect immunocompetent people. Although acute sinusitis...fungal elements (including mold) and the associated eosinophilic...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

7.

[Necrotizing fasciitis in an immunocompetent patient caused by Apophysomyces elegans] Ruiz, Carmen Elena / Arango, Myrtha / Correa, Ana Lucía / López, Luz Saider / Restrepo, , Biomédica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud, 24 (3), p.239-251, Sep 2004 ...presented of a 7-year-old boy, seriously injured in a car accident, who developed a fatal infection due to Aphophysomyces elegans--a mold of the Mucoracea family. Fungal invasion was initially manifested by a spotted wound in the left lumbar region which developed...

MEDLINE/PubMed Citation on

view all 18 results from MEDLINE/PubMed

similar results

8.

Upper-Extremity Mucormycosis Infections in Immunocompetent Patients Moran, S.L. / Strickland, J. / Shin, A.Y. , Journal of Hand Surgery, 31 (7), p.1201-1205, Sep 2006 ...incidence of infections within immunocompetent patients has not been reported...within the upper extremity in immunocompetent individuals and to evaluate...other patients, leaving 7 immunocompetent patients as the study group...infected tissue, visible mold or fungal elements, andany...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

9.

Allergic fungal sinusitis presenting with proptosis and diplopia: a review of ophthalmologic complications and treatment. Coop, A / England, W , Allergy and asthma proceedings : the official journal of regional and state allergy societies, 27 (1), p.72-76, Jan 2006 Allergic fungal sinusitis is a noninvasive, but vigorous, inflammatory response to mold that occurs in immunocompetent patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. It typically occurs in patients who have a history of atopic disease. Occasionally...

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 27, 2008

Its interesting the way you think. Bluntly, I disagree completely with

your absolution of mold from causing these illnesses. And I don't

think that the authors of the study on FUNGAL infections would agree

with you either.

But I am sure your clients have deep pockets and obviously, they can

using faulty logic like this, revent all but the richest plaintiffs

from getting legal representation, then they have accomplished what

they paid you for.

How do you all of you who play these games with peoples lives sleep at night?

January 27, 2008

There are also many papers showing how many fungal metabolites are

extremely powerful immunosuppressants. All of the trichothecenes are

immunosuppressive, in addition to their cytotoxicity and stachybotrys

also contains cycloSPORins

like FR901459 which are classic immunosuppressive drugs, commonly used

to stop transplant rejection. (and causing increased suceptibiliy to

other forms of fungal infection, yes)

Why do molds make the immunosuppressants? To better infect us. When we

die, mold gets to eat us. Mold makes itself right at home in

accelerating the process of eating us. There are so many

immunosuppressive compounds produced by fungi or which are based on

fungal toxins (in other words, they may exist in fungi, they would

just be among the many mycotoxins we have not discovered yet) In fact,

I think most of them are based on mycotoxins. Cylosporin A and

tacrolimus certainly are.

The point Shaon and I am making is that any idiot can see that mold

*causes* immunosuppression. A building full of millions (or billions,

more likely) of separate and distinct colonies of mold is also a

chemical factory in every sense of the word. Its manufacturing

literally millions of different biologically active compounds. When

peole play Russian Roulette there is only one gun and one bullet in a

magazine that holds six. Well, imagine living or working in a building

breathing air that held millions of " bullets " all of different caliber

angle and velocity. How would you duck that?

I was talking with a toxicologist who is involved in studying the

health effects of mold at the highest level (research, not court

testimony) speculating - a few weeks ago about this and they agreed

with me on the probability of mold immunosuppression being important

to the effects. They also agreed with me about it almost certainly

causing autoimmune disease.

January 27, 2008

Sharron,

I thought the disclaimer in the very last parragraph my prior post made my position clear.

Fact is I don't know what causes mold reactivity. could be pesticides/chemicals, could be mold simply causes mold reactivity as you and most avacates believe, could be just one specific type of mold, or it could be a virus like aids, herpes, bacteria like lyme's or tuburculosis, a combination of these, could be genes, could be a combination or mixture of all or some of these things or a plethora of other possibiltitys, mercury, lead, etc. Their are many things it could be and I have my biases like most but I think I am being intelectually honest in saying I really don't know and we DESPARATLY need research to bring this to light.

But first we simply need to establish scientifcally THIS ILLNESS IS REAL and it's extremely debilitating. From their establish protocols to diagnose and treat those who suffer.

And than to make this information available to all physicians so that everyone can get diagnosed and treated PROPERLY.

Than and only than should we worry about the cause.

The links you posted don't even begin to make your case, Tony pointed out many of the reasons why.

Fact is until we take the above steps you will never be able to make your case.

I suggest for all those that hold this view you have that they watch this video by Feynman:

Pleasure of finding things out part 5 of 5

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9CaL5NslOxE

It's this exact logic and reasoning why I hold the position I do.

,

You wrote: " I don't see the point in arguing about it when their is no decent evidence for mold causing illness in otherwise healthy individuals. I used to be pissed at medical dr's for discarding this idea but now that I understand "

With all due respect, you need to stop taking whatever happened to you, and based solely on this, make broad sweeping conclusions for the general population.

Of course there is evidence of mold causing serious illness in prior healthy people -those who are immunocompentent. Even the IOM Damp Indoor Spaces and Health Report notes that hypersensitivity pneumonitis occurs in " susceptable " people. Note, they did not say immunocompromised.

There are MANY reports on PubMed of mold causing illness in the immunocompetent.

So , you would do us all a favor if when you voice your opinions, you state it that this is what you know to be true for you....but NOT what you know to be true for all.

Simply use the scirus search engine. Search the words " Mold immunocompetent "

Here is just a small example of what one will find:

1.

Otitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent child

Bhally, H.S. / Shields, C. / Lin, S.Y. / Merz, W.G. , International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 68 (7), p.975-978, Jul 2004 ...Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent child H.S. Bhally a * * Corresponding...is a ubiquitous saprophytic mold. It is considered an infrequent...rare. We report an 8-year-old immunocompetent male who developed otitis...is a ubiquitous saprophytic mold, isolated from soil and water...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

2.

Otitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermum in an immunocompetent child.

Bhally, H S / Shields, C / Lin, S Y / Merz, W G , International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, 68 (7), p.975-978, Jul 2004 ...apiospermum (Pseudallescheria boydii) is a ubiquitous saprophytic mold. It is considered an infrequent but important and emerging...S. apiospermum is extremely rare. We report an 8-year-old immunocompetent male who developed otitis media and otitis externa from S...

MEDLINE/PubMed Citation on

view all 18 results from MEDLINE/PubMed

similar results

3.

Central nervous system aspergillosis in immunocompetent patient

Khachane, S.O. / kumar, V. / Sanghvi, D.A. , European Journal of Radiology Extra, 63 (2), p.53-56, Aug 2007 ...callosum Restricted diffusion Immunocompetent 1 Introduction Aspergilli...the case of a 7-year-old immunocompetent girl who presented with...to our case can occur in immunocompetent and moderately immunocompromised...Han Diagnosis of invasive mold infection by real-time quantitative...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

4.

Imaging of Bacterial Pulmonary Infection in the Immunocompetent Patient

Washington, L. / Palacio, D. , Seminars in Roentgenology, 42 (2), p.122-145, Apr 2007 ...Bacterial Pulmonary Infection in the Immunocompetent Patient Lacey Washington MD ? lacey...and a common incidental finding in immunocompetent patients. Findings on chest radiography...the risk of pulmonary infection in immunocompetent patients was well understood, but...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

5.

MEDLINE/PubMed Citation on

6.

Clinical medicine and the budding science of indoor mold exposure

Genuis, S.J. , European Journal of Internal Medicine, 18 (7), p.516-523, Nov 2007 ...1 Common sources of indoor mold Source Management Indoor plants...infection by molds and other fungi Mold elements can also directly...BlastomycesandCoccidioidescan also infect immunocompetent people. Although acute sinusitis...fungal elements (including mold) and the associated eosinophilic...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

7.

[Necrotizing fasciitis in an immunocompetent patient caused by Apophysomyces elegans]

Ruiz, Carmen Elena / Arango, Myrtha / Correa, Ana Lucía / López, Luz Saider / Restrepo, , Biomédica : revista del Instituto Nacional de Salud, 24 (3), p.239-251, Sep 2004

....presented of a 7-year-old boy, seriously injured in a car accident, who developed a fatal infection due to Aphophysomyces elegans--a mold of the Mucoracea family. Fungal invasion was initially manifested by a spotted wound in the left lumbar region which developed...

MEDLINE/PubMed Citation on

view all 18 results from MEDLINE/PubMed

similar results

8.

Upper-Extremity Mucormycosis Infections in Immunocompetent Patients

Moran, S.L. / Strickland, J. / Shin, A.Y. , Journal of Hand Surgery, 31 (7), p.1201-1205, Sep 2006 ...incidence of infections within immunocompetent patients has not been reported...within the upper extremity in immunocompetent individuals and to evaluate...other patients, leaving 7 immunocompetent patients as the study group...infected tissue, visible mold or fungal elements, andany...

Published journal article available from

view all 145 results from ScienceDirect

similar results

9.

Allergic fungal sinusitis presenting with proptosis and diplopia: a review of ophthalmologic complications and treatment.

Coop, A / England, W , Allergy and asthma proceedings : the official journal of regional and state allergy societies, 27 (1), p.72-76, Jan 2006

Allergic fungal sinusitis is a noninvasive, but vigorous, inflammatory response to mold that occurs in immunocompetent patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. It typically occurs in patients who have a history of atopic disease. Occasionally...

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 28, 2008

,

You wrote:

The links you posted don't even begin to make your case, Tony pointed out many of the reasons why. Fact is until we take the above steps you will never be able to make your case.

Maybe I have missed the point of this thread. Isn't the question on the table "Can molds cause serious illness in immunocompetent people?

Sharon

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 28, 2008

Where does the artical say anything about brain infections?

-----Original Message-----From: iequality [mailto:iequality ]On Behalf Of Tony HavicsSent: Saturday, January 26, 2008 10:58 PMTo: iequality Subject: Re: SNK on Responding to a Simple Question

Sharon:

You have taken the words below well out of context in this article.

"here is an article from a respected Indian neurology journal stating

that many immunocompetent Indian men end up with invasive

aspergillosis of the brain, from fungal infection "In moldy

environment". [my emphasis]

Wow. I didn’t read that at all.

Certainly it hits on a couple aspects I do agree with:

1. Certain Aspergillus sp. affect "normal" people and should be looked at more closely.

2. In general, you'll note that the bulk of these fungi cited are dimorphic.

However, the article states:

“The high incidence of fungal sinusitis and keratitis is related to the spore content of pathogenic Aspergillus spp. in the environment colonizing sinuses, nasopharynx, mastoid and middle ear. In moldy environment, Aspergillus spore concentrations exceeding 12x10 6 m 3 are recorded. [126] Compromised sinus aeration, altered immune response to fungi including poor nutritional status could facilitate growth of the organism and eventual contiguous spread into cranial cavity. [115],[127]” [my emphasis]

Re-read this article. Even though you quote:

“sinocranial aspergillosis accounts for a significantproportion of histologically verified cases reported [10],[96],[110],[111],[112],[113],[114],[115],[116],[117],[118],[119] inotherwise normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms thataccount for the majority of cases from Western countries.[75],[120],[121] Young men, otherwise normal, from rural areas aremost commonly affected.”

The predisposing factors for the Aspergillosis cases listed (Table III, associated with your text)were:

Diabetes

Renal transplant

Lymphoma

TB

Dialysis

Steriods

AML

Nosocomial (surprised it’s this low)

Intercranial surgery

Et cetera

Only 1 of 30 cases had no listed pre-disposition, count them.

So the text only matches the secondary citations, not the evidence in the article.

The other interesting piece of your quote was:

“otherwise normal hosts in contrast to the disseminated forms thataccount for the majority of cases from Western countries.”

Which says to me that is the US in the vast majority, it’s immuno-compromised.

Not to mention that a secondary citation to 12,000,000 fungi per cubic meter is: a) A secondary citation that wasn’t directly related to the cases, and would not be not surprising since this is above known effect levels, especially for known a known pathogen.

Now for Zygomycoses listed, 30 of 112 cases revealed no predisposition.

You missed a couple of useful phrases to support a case for competent folks getting disease (Zygo), which says to me you either a) didn’t really read it, or read what you wanted to, or c) didn’t understand what you read.

Please read this stuff before you send it out as:

Proof or implied broad support with marketing phrases like “I’ve seen many like this.”

Please run these by some that really really understands testing, tests, and experimental methodology first.

Tony

Ps (Honestly though) Thanks for the article, I likely have an upcoming case where this will be helpful to understand the background of incidence values of zygo cases.

....................................................................... "Tony" Havics, CHMM, CIH, PEpH2, LLC5250 E US 36, Suite 830Avon, IN 46123www.ph2llc.com off fax cell90% of Risk Management is knowing where to place the decimal point...any consultant can give you the other 10%(SM)This message is from pH2. This message and any attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information, and are intended only for the individual or entity identified above as the addressee. If you are not the addressee, or if this message has been addressed to you in error, you are not authorized to read, copy, or distribute this message and any attachments, and we ask that you please delete this message and attachments (including all copies) and notify the sender by return e-mail or by phone at . Delivery of this message and any attachments to any person other than the intended recipient(s) is not intended in any way to waive confidentiality or a privilege. All personal messages express views only of the sender, which are not to be attributed to pH2 and may not be copied or distributed without this statement.

January 28, 2008

Quack,

This is a great paper regarding " Clinical medicine and the budding science of indoor mold exposure" J. Genuis July 2007. European Journal of Internal Medicine.

I wish I could post it all, but that would not be appropriate since one is to purchase the paper from the publisher. But I think it is okay to show the abstracts and a few key segments of the paper:

AbstractRecent research and increasing discussion in the medical literature have brought attention to public health concerns associated with mold exposure. Many kinds of mold and their mold-associated products have the potential to disrupt human molecular biochemistry and physiology, resulting in various types of acute and chronic affliction. As environmental health has not been a focus for medical education, some clinicians are not fully aware of the scope of mold-related health problems and are inadequately equipped to investigate and manage possible cases of mold exposure. As a result, manifestations of mold-related illness often remain misdiagnosed and ineffectually treated. It is important for physicians to be aware of the pathogenesis, the manifestations, the investigations and the management of possible mold exposure. An overview of mold-related health problems and two case histories are presented for consideration....

"While mold found in the outdoors is intricately involved in the normal decomposition of plant debris, leaves and wood, difficulty arises when mold infests the living space of individuals, potentially releasing mold-associated products into the air."..

It is estimated that about 30% of the buildings in America and western Europe have moistureproblems that may predispose to â€œsignificant microbial contamination of the indoor environmentâ€ [8].The most common indoor molds are Alternaria, Penicillium, Cladosporum, Stachybotrys and Aspergillus [9]. These fungi reproduce themselves by the production of DNAcontaining spores which readily disseminate through the air to start new colonies. The myriad species of mold each have distinct properties with some indoor molds possessing the ability to manufacture and release potent biochemical byproductssuch as mycotoxins (e.g. trichothecenes, ochratoxins, rubratoxins, fumonisins, aflatoxins, etc.) â€” chemicals produced by mold which give the organism an advantage in the natural world by poisoning and preventing other molds from growing in close proximity. Just as exposure to some pathogenic bacteria or their toxins can be harmful, human exposure to certain molds or their chemical by-products canalso result in various symptoms and diseases ranging from allergy and skin irritation to cancer, sepsis and death.

By pathogenic mechanisms not completely understood, it has also been observed that sensitivity responses to mold, mold-associated by-products or dissimilar incitants (as a result of TILT following mold exposure) may involve distinctive reactions of varying severity in multiple organ systems [16â€“18]. As well as dermatologic problems, joint difficulties, and myalgic complaints, some researchers have noted that the brain is a common target organ for mold sensitivities [19]. By mechanisms yet to be elucidated, sensitivity reactions may include cognitive impairment [19,20] or â€˜moldy moodsâ€™ â€” a collection of psychiatricsymptoms potentially including mood swings, hyperactivity and irrational anger [21,22]. 3.2. Mycotic infection by molds and other fungi Mold elements can also directly infect some tissues and cause mycotic or fungal-related pathological and inflammatory illness, particularly when impaired circulation or immunecompromise exists [23]. Molds, yeasts and other fungal organisms can invade the tissues of both immunocompromised and normal individuals, establishing an infectious state that is often difficult to clinically manage.

3.3. Exposure to biochemical products of mold The third way that molds induce infirmity is through theproduction, absorption and dissemination of toxic and immunogenic by-products manufactured by the mold. Fungal biochemical products may include chemical mycotoxins [28], enzymes [29], solvents [30], polysaccharides [31], volatile organic compounds [7] and other by-products. These biochemical compounds may be released into the air and inhaled, but some by-products such as aflatoxins (very potent carcinogens and hepatotoxins produced by some Aspergillus species) can also be ingested in foods. As fungal particles less than 10 Î¼m in diameter are respirable, mycotoxins (including ochratoxin, sterigmatocystin and trichothecenes) may contaminate indoor dust in moldy buildings, leading to inhalation and absorption [32,33]. They may provoke local irritation, may induce hypersensitivity or may disseminate within thebody to cause biochemical alternation of inherent physiology. In addition to inciting sensitivity reactions, these dispersed chemical compounds can alter cell and tissue function in myriad ways. For example, some mold by-products, including beta glucans, have the potential to cause immune-related illness by inducing immune suppression or modulation [34,35]; other by-products are directly hormone-disrupting [8], nephrotoxic [36], genotoxic [8], or carcinogenic [37]. Some mold byproducts secrete enzymes that may induce thrombosis or infarction [38], while others employ multiple mechanisms to induce tissue damage with resultant illness [39]

The recommended clinical and laboratory assessment of possible mold exposure is evolving rapidly. Despite uncertainty about the correlation between measured mold levels and the extent of personal exposure, air sampling is the most commonly performed method to assess potential aerosol exposure to molds. Mold plates, which collect air for a few minutes, are an inexpensive method to get a semi-quantitativemeasurement of indoor airborne fungi levels. However, airborne mold measurements fail to take into consideration contamination in dust or on surfaces and do not assess the levels of mold-associated by-products in air, dust and on surfaces. Sampling of settled dust for fungi and mycotoxins may be conducted as concentrations in the settled dust are presumed to correlate with chronic exposure [47]. Othertechniques, such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and measurement of fungal volatile organic compounds, polysaccharides, ergosterol and beta glucans, are being explored as a means to adequately assay indoor environments for molds, their allergens and their by-products [47].

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 28, 2008

Alice, the paper was a neurology paper about fungal infections of the

CNS (central nervous system)

Pathobiology of fungal infections of the central nervous system with

special reference to the Indian scenario

Shankar SK Mahadevan A, Sundaram C, Sarkar Chitra, Chacko Geeta,

Lanjewar DN, Santosh Vani, Yasha TC, Radhakrishnan VV

http://www.neurologyindia.com/article.asp?issn=0028-3886;year=2007;volume=55;iss\

ue=3;spage=198;epage=215;aulast=Shankar

" Neurology India (ISSN 0028-3886) is quarterly publication of

Neurological Society of India. Neurology India, the show window of the

progress of Neurological Sciences in India, has successfully completed

50 years of publication in the year 2002. 'Neurology India', along

with the Neurological Society of India, has grown stronger with the

passing of every year. The full articles of the journal are now

available on internet with more than 20000 visitors in a month and the

journal is indexed in MEDLINE and Index Medicus, Current Contents,

Neuroscience Citation Index and EMBASE in addition to 10 other

indexing avenues.

This specialty journal reaches to about 2000 neurologists,

neurosurgeons, neuro-psychiatrists, and others working in the fields

of neurology. The journal is also subscribed by major hospitals and

colleges in India. "

>

> Where does the artical say anything about brain infections?

>

January 28, 2008

I find it very telling that there is a spectrum of people who seem to

have decided that the outcome

for so many people is predestined to be destroyed by mold without any

kind of societal intervention

strictly so some people can make more money. Its a bit like terrorism,

actually because it is random violence.

Certainly, if a number of madmen were to shoot machie guns in the air

over a crowd of people in a stadium and

then the victims and their faily were forced to try to prosecute the

killers at their own expense, having to

gather the scant evidence of balistics and witness reports, even under

intimidation, few would be successful.

But the reality at the end of the day is that those gunners WERE

responsible and they knew it. What our society needs

to do is to develop a RESPONSIBLE tort system that both COMPLETELY

PREVENTS that behavior and compensates ALL of the victims justly which

is to return to them the stability that was taken from them and to

prevent others from profiting by stealing from them,

EFFECTIVELY.

Otherwise, all these evils just add up and eventually this country

will sink so far into a hell that we wont be able to pull it out

again.

Thats happened before and its the stuff some very bad times in history

developed out of. Bad for everyone.

The Dark Ages as it were were basically a long period of anarchy after

the fall of the Roman Empire and during

that time of " decay " the population of what used to be the Roman

Empire fell tremendously, literacy became

rare, and roads and commerce decined tremendously.

That was all a result of the destruction of the social contract.

January 28, 2008

Sharron,

you wrote:

>Maybe I have missed the point of this thread. Isn't the question on the table " Can >molds cause serious illness in immunocompetent people?

Yes and particularly the type of illness we see in SBS, CFS, MCS. Illnesses that to date haven't been recognized by science as physiological in nature. Which is tragic because as you know the illness is very treatable through avoidance of mold and there is a massive amount of unnecessary suffering do to this lack of scientific understanding. Which I hope we can change.

My problems with the links you posted are they were either isolated incidents, (very rare) or they took place in already compromised individuals which isn't being argued.

That mold can infect a healthy person is actually a gray area.. We know valley fever can. I surmise by the links you posted your implying that common mold found in indoor environments often infects immunocompetent people. But the links you posted haven't established this.

By showing that indoor mold can commonly infect immunocompetent people your trying to make the case it can also cause SBS which is quite a different condition all together. Fact is this may be true or it may not be true. Fact is if it were true (fungal infections in otherwise healthy people) it would lend credence to your argument. But you have not established the relationship. Also in science correlation doesn't always mean causation this also needs to be considered. And this is the crux of my argument, just because we see people get sick from mold doesn't mean mold is causing the illness. (we see this all the time in aids patients)

The paper live posted does seem to counter my argument. If some of the things their saying are well documented and accepted by peer review, I might have to reconsider my position. Like I said I don't know, I have my theory's but am willing to go where the evidence takes me even if it means I have to let them go.

,

You wrote:

The links you posted don't even begin to make your case, Tony pointed out many of the reasons why. Fact is until we take the above steps you will never be able to make your case.

Maybe I have missed the point of this thread. Isn't the question on the table " Can molds cause serious illness in immunocompetent people?

Sharon

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 29, 2008

Oh I see Sharron posted it:

J. Genuis

Read it again, If the things he says are backed up with documentation and peer reviewed it would be enough to change my view. Till than I remain skeptical.

Sharron,

you wrote:

>Maybe I have missed the point of this thread. Isn't the question on the table " Can >molds cause serious illness in immunocompetent people?

Yes and particularly the type of illness we see in SBS, CFS, MCS. Illnesses that to date haven't been recognized by science as physiological in nature. Which is tragic because as you know the illness is very treatable through avoidance of mold and there is a massive amount of unnecessary suffering do to this lack of scientific understanding. Which I hope we can change.

My problems with the links you posted are they were either isolated incidents, (very rare) or they took place in already compromised individuals which isn't being argued.

That mold can infect a healthy person is actually a gray area.. We know valley fever can. I surmise by the links you posted your implying that common mold found in indoor environments often infects immunocompetent people. But the links you posted haven't established this.

By showing that indoor mold can commonly infect immunocompetent people your trying to make the case it can also cause SBS which is quite a different condition all together. Fact is this may be true or it may not be true. Fact is if it were true (fungal infections in otherwise healthy people) it would lend credence to your argument. But you have not established the relationship. Also in science correlation doesn't always mean causation this also needs to be considered. And this is the crux of my argument, just because we see people get sick from mold doesn't mean mold is causing the illness. (we see this all the time in aids patients)

The paper live posted does seem to counter my argument. If some of the things their saying are well documented and accepted by peer review, I might have to reconsider my position. Like I said I don't know, I have my theory's but am willing to go where the evidence takes me even if it means I have to let them go.

,

You wrote:

The links you posted don't even begin to make your case, Tony pointed out many of the reasons why. Fact is until we take the above steps you will never be able to make your case.

Maybe I have missed the point of this thread. Isn't the question on the table " Can molds cause serious illness in immunocompetent people?

Sharon

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 29, 2008

Oh I see Sharron posted it:

J. Genuis

Read it again, If the things he says are backed up with documentation and peer reviewed it would be enough to change my view. Till than I remain skeptical.

,

This paper was peer reviewed and published in the European Journal of Infectious Disease.

These are the references for the paper. They are out of sequence because I had to copy the pdf to "clipboard":

References[1] Pinker S. ORs closed after Aspergillus discovered at Royal Vic. CMAJ2001;164(9):1333.[2] Centers for Disease Control and P. Update: pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis among infantsâ€”Cleveland, Ohio, 1993â€“1996. MMWRMorb Mortal Wkly Rep 1997;46(2):33â€“5.[3] Taskinen T, Hyvarinen A, Meklin T, Husman T, Nevalainen A, KorppiM. Asthma and respiratory infections in school children with specialreference to moisture and mold problems in the school. Acta Paediatr1999;88(12):1373â€“9.[4] Hampton T. Scientists plan New Orleans Mold Project. JAMA2006;295(23):2710.[5] Lee TG. Health symptoms caused by molds in a courthouse. ArchEnviron Health 2003;58(7):442â€“6.[6] Jaakkola MS, Nordman H, Piipari R, Uitti J, Laitinen J, Karjalainen A,et al. Indoor dampness and molds and development of adult-onsetasthma: a population-based incident caseâ€“control study. EnvironHealth Perspect 2002;110(5):543â€“7.[7] BrandtM, BrownC,Burkhart J, BurtonN, -Ganser J,Damon S, et al.Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermathof Hurricanes and Major Floods. MMWR Recomm Rep 2006;55:1â€“27[R0B].[8] Johanning E. Indoor moisture and mold-related health problems.Allerg Immunol (Paris) 2004;36(5):182â€“5.[9] American Academy of Pediatrics â€” Committee on Environmental H.Toxic effects of indoor molds. Pediatrics 1998;101(4 Pt 1):712â€“4.[10] Jarvis BB. Chemistry and toxicology of molds isolated from waterdamagedbuildings. In: DeVries JW, Trucksess MW, LS,editors. Mycotoxins and Food Safety. Kluwer Academic/PlenumPublishers; 2002. p. 43â€“52.[11] Chiu AM, Fink JN. Fungal allergy and pathogenicity. Introduction.Chem Immunol 2002;81:1â€“4.[12] Bush RK, Portnoy JM. The role and abatement of fungal allergens inallergic diseases. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107(3 Suppl):S430â€“40.[13] Kurup V, Shen HD, Vijay H. Immunobiology of fungal allergens. IntArch Allergy Immunol 2002;129:181â€“8.[23] Fleming RV,Walsh TJ, Anaissie EJ. Emerging and less common fungalpathogens. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2002;16(4):915â€“33 [viâ€“vii].[24] Ponikau JU, Sherris DA,Kern EB, Homburger HA, Frigas E, Gaffey TA,et al. The diagnosis and incidence of allergic fungal sinusitis. Mayo ClinProc 1999;74(9):877â€“84.[25] Monod M, Borg-von ZM. Secreted aspartic proteases as virulencefactors of Candida species. Biol Chem 2002;383(7â€“8):1087â€“93.[26] Brostoff J, Gamlin L. Food allergies and food intolerance: the completeguide to their identification and treatment. Rochester: Inner TraditionsInternational; 2000.[27] Bralley JA, Lord RS. Laboratory evaluations in molecular medicine:nutrients, toxicants, and cell regulators. Norcross GA: The Institute forAdvances in Molecular Medicine; 2005.[28] Tuomi T, Reijula K, sson T, Hemminki K, Hintikka EL, LindroosO, et al. Mycotoxins in crude building materials from water-damagedbuildings. Appl Environ Microbiol 2000;66(5):1899â€“904.[29] Monod M, Capoccia S, Lechenne B, Zaugg C, Holdom M, Jousson O.Secreted proteases frompathogenic fungi. Int JMed Microbiol 2002;292(5â€“6):405â€“19.[30] Claeson AS, Levin JO, Blomquist G, Sunesson AL. Volatilemetabolites from microorganisms grown on humid building materialsand synthetic media. J Environ Monit 2002;4(5):667â€“72.[31] Douwes J, van der Sluis B, Doekes G, van Leusden F, Wijnands L,van Strien R, et al. Fungal extracellular polysaccharides in housedust as a marker for exposure to fungi: relations with culturable fungi,reported home dampness, and respiratory symptoms. J Allergy ClinImmunol 1999;103(3 Pt 1):494â€“500.[32] Nielsen KF. Mycotoxin production by indoor molds. Fungal GenetBiol 2003;39:103â€“17.[33] Engelhart S, Loock A, Skutlarek D, Sagunski H, Lommel A, Farbe M,et al. Occurrence of toxigenic Aspergillus versicolor isolates andsterigmatocystin in carpet dust from damp indoor environments. ApplEnviron Microbiol 2002;68: 3886â€“90.[34] Bondy GS, Pestka JJ. Immunomodulation by fungal toxins. J ToxicolEnviron Health B Crit Rev 2000;3(2):109â€“43.[35] Berek L, Petri IB,MesterhazyA, Teren J,Molnar J. Effects ofmycotoxinson human immune functions in vitro. Toxicol In Vitro 2001;15(1):25â€“30.522 S.J. Genuis / European Journal of Internal Medicine 18 (2007) 516â€“523

[14] Gorny RL, Reponen T, Willeke K, Schechel D, Robine E, Bossier M,et al. Fungal fragments as indoor air contaminants. Appl EnvironMicrobiol 2002;68:3522â€“31.[15] Erkinjuntti-Pekkanen R, Reiman M, Kokkarinen JI, Tukiainen HO,Terho EO. IgG antibodies, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary functionvalues in farmer's lung patients and matched controls. Allergy 1999;54(11):1181â€“7.[16] Anyanwu EC, AW, Vojdani A. Neurophysiological effects ofchronic indoor environmental toxic mold exposure on children.ScientificWorldJournal 2003;3:281â€“90.[17] AW, Thrasher JD, Gray MR, Vojdani A. Mold andmycotoxins: effects on the neurological and immune systems inhumans. Adv Appl Microbiol 2004;55:375â€“406.[18] Crago BR, Gray MR, LA, M, Arnold L, Thrasher JD.Psychological, neuropsychological, and electrocortical effects ofmixed mold exposure. Arch Environ Health 2003;58(8):452â€“63.[19] Gordon WA, Cantor JB, Johanning E, Charatz HJ, Ashman TA,Breeze JL, et al. Cognitive impairment associated with toxigenicfungal exposure: a replication and extension of previous findings.Appl Neuropsychol 2004;11(2):65â€“74.[20] Baldo JV, Ahmad L, Ruff R. Neuropsychological performance ofpatients following mold exposure. Appl Neuropsychol 2002;9(4):193â€“202.[21] Hurst D. Manifestation and management of mold allergies. Presentedat International Symposium on Man and His Environment in Healthand Disease; June 11 2005. Dallas Texas.[22] Kilburn KH. Indoor mold exposure associated with neurobehavioral andpulmonary impairment: a preliminary report. In: Kilburn KH, editor.Molds and Mycotoxins. Washington, D.C.: Heldref Publications; 2004.[23] Fleming RV,Walsh TJ, Anaissie EJ. Emerging and less common fungalpathogens. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2002;16(4):915â€“33 [viâ€“vii].[24] Ponikau JU, Sherris DA,Kern EB, Homburger HA, Frigas E, Gaffey TA,et al. The diagnosis and incidence of allergic fungal sinusitis. Mayo ClinProc 1999;74(9):877â€“84.[25] Monod M, Borg-von ZM. Secreted aspartic proteases as virulencefactors of Candida species. Biol Chem 2002;383(7â€“8):1087â€“93.[26] Brostoff J, Gamlin L. Food allergies and food intolerance: the completeguide to their identification and treatment. Rochester: Inner TraditionsInternational; 2000.[27] Bralley JA, Lord RS. Laboratory evaluations in molecular medicine:nutrients, toxicants, and cell regulators. Norcross GA: The Institute forAdvances in Molecular Medicine; 2005.[28] Tuomi T, Reijula K, sson T, Hemminki K, Hintikka EL, LindroosO, et al. Mycotoxins in crude building materials from water-damagedbuildings. Appl Environ Microbiol 2000;66(5):1899â€“904.[29] Monod M, Capoccia S, Lechenne B, Zaugg C, Holdom M, Jousson O.Secreted proteases frompathogenic fungi. Int JMed Microbiol 2002;292(5â€“6):405â€“19.[30] Claeson AS, Levin JO, Blomquist G, Sunesson AL. Volatilemetabolites from microorganisms grown on humid building materialsand synthetic media. J Environ Monit 2002;4(5):667â€“72.[31] Douwes J, van der Sluis B, Doekes G, van Leusden F, Wijnands L,van Strien R, et al. Fungal extracellular polysaccharides in housedust as a marker for exposure to fungi: relations with culturable fungi,reported home dampness, and respiratory symptoms. J Allergy ClinImmunol 1999;103(3 Pt 1):494â€“500.[32] Nielsen KF. Mycotoxin production by indoor molds. Fungal GenetBiol 2003;39:103â€“17.[33] Engelhart S, Loock A, Skutlarek D, Sagunski H, Lommel A, Farbe M,et al. Occurrence of toxigenic Aspergillus versicolor isolates andsterigmatocystin in carpet dust from damp indoor environments. ApplEnviron Microbiol 2002;68: 3886â€“90.[34] Bondy GS, Pestka JJ. Immunomodulation by fungal toxins. J ToxicolEnviron Health B Crit Rev 2000;3(2):109â€“43.[35] Berek L, Petri IB,MesterhazyA, Teren J,Molnar J. Effects ofmycotoxinson human immune functions in vitro. Toxicol In Vitro 2001;15(1):25â€“30.[36] Pfohl-Leszkowicz A, Petkova-Bocharova T, Chernozemsky IN,Castegnaro M. Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urinarytract tumours: a review on aetiological causes and the potential role ofmycotoxins. Food Addit Contam 2002;19(3):282â€“302.[37] Dominguez-Malagon H, Gaytan-Graham S. Hepatocellular carcinoma:an update. Ultrastruct Pathol 2001;25(6):497â€“516.[38] Kordula T, Banbula A, Macomson J, J. Isolation and propertiesof stachyrase A, a chymotrypsin-like serine proteinase from Stachybotryschartarum. Infect Immun 2002;70(1):419â€“21.[39] Bhatnagar D, Yu J, Ehrlich KC. Toxins of filamentous fungi. ChemImmunol 2002;81:167â€“206.[40] Hymery N, Sibiril Y, Parent-Massin D. In vitro effects oftrichothecenes on human dendritic cells. Toxicol In Vitro 2006;20(6):899â€“909.[41] Wannemacher Jr, RW, Wiener SL. Trichothecene mycotoxins. In:Zajtchuk R, Bellamy RF, editors. Textbook of military medicine:medical aspects of chemical and biologic warfare. Washington, DC:Office of the Surgeon General at TMM Publications, Borden Institute,Walter Army Medical Center; 1997:655â€“77.[42] CroftWA, JastromskiBM, CroftAL, sHA. Clinical confirmation oftrichothecene mycotoxicosis in patient urine. J Environ Biol 2002;23:301â€“20.[43] Simon T. Neurotoxicityâ€”mold exposure versus all causes. Presentedat the 21st Annual Symposium on Man and His Environment in Healthand Disease, Dallas, Texas; June 19â€“22 2003.[44] Anyanwu E, AW, Vojdani A, Ehiri JE, Akpan AI. Biochemicalchanges in the serumof patientswith chronic toxigenicmold exposures: arisk factor formultiple renal dysfunctions. ScientificWorldJournal 2003;3:1058â€“64.522 S.J. Genuis / European Journal of Internal Medicine 18 (2007) 516â€“523

[45] Marshall L, Weir E, Abelsohn A, Sanborn MD. Identifying andmanaging adverse environmental health effects: 1. Taking an exposurehistory. CMAJ 2002;166:1049â€“55.[46] Marshall LM. Exposure history. In The Ontario College of FamilyPhysicians [association website][cited 9 October 06]. Available fromthe internet: 2006. http://www.ocfp.on.ca/local/files/EHC/Exposure%20Hx%20Forms.pdf.[47] Pasanen AL. A review: fungal exposure assessment in indoor environments.Indoor Air 2001;11:87â€“98.[48] GrayMR, Thrasher JD, Crago R,Madison RA, Arnold L, AW,et al. Mixed mold mycotoxicosis: immunological changes in humansfollowing exposure in water-damaged buildings. Arch Environ Health2003;58(7):410â€“20.[49] Vojdani A, AW, Kashanian A, Vojdani E. Antibodies againstmolds and mycotoxins following exposure to toxigenic fungi in awater-damaged building. Arch Environ Health 2003;58(6):324â€“36.[50] Van Emon J, A, Yike I, Vesper S. ELISA measurement ofStachylysin in serum to quantify human exposures to the indoor moldStachybotrys chartarum. J Occup Environ Med 2003;45:582â€“91.[51] Iavacoli I, Brera C, Carelli G, Caputi R, Marinaccio A, Miraglia M.External and internal dose in subjects occupationally exposed toochratoxin A. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2002;75:381â€“6.[52] Jarvis BB. Analysis for mycotoxins: the chemist's perspective. In:Kilburn KH, editor. Molds and Mycotoxins. Washington, D.C.:Heldref Publications; 2004.[53] Chandrasekar PH, Sobel JD. Micafungin: a new echinocandin. ClinInfect Dis Apr 15 2006;42(8):1171â€“8.[54] Gombart AF, Borregaard N, Koeffler HP. Human cathelicidinantimicrobial peptide (CAMP) gene is a direct target of the vitaminD receptor and is strongly up-regulated in myeloid cells by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. FASEB J Jul 2005;19(9):1067â€“77.[55] - B, Lee PH, Yamasaki K, Gallo RL. Anti-fungal activityof cathelicidins and their potential role in Candida albicans skininfection. J Invest Dermatol Jul 2005;125(1):108â€“15.[56] Genuis SJ. The chemical erosion of human health: adverse environmentalexposure and in-utero pollution â€” determinants of congenitaldisorders and chronic disease. J Perinat Med 2006;34:185â€“95.[57] Genuis SJ. Fielding a current idea: exploring the public health impactof electromagnetic radiation. Public Health in press, doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2007.04.008.[58] Rea WJ. Chemical sensitivity: (vol. 4): tools of diagnosis and methodsof treatment. Boca Raton: Publishers; 1997.[59] SA. Lipoic acid as a potential first agent for protection frommycotoxins and treatment of mycotoxicosis. Arch Environ Health2003;58(8):528â€“32.Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 29, 2008

,

I don't think thats accurate to say that mold illness is treatable by

avoiding mold. I think its more accurate to say that for

people with mold illness, once they reach a certain point, it appears

that the damage becomes CUMULATIVE and

there is a very large and ever present risk that unexpected, random

exposure could push someone over the edge in an extremely nonlinear

fashion.

The result of that might be as simple as losing ones ability to

function for weeks or months and losing ones job and needing say a

year or so to recover to the point of being able to work in a less

demanding field again, or it could be as serious as a stroke or

getting cancer and dying.

If you look at the people with chemo brain and what they say about it,

its often very devastating to their lives because they can't do the

kind of work they used to do and they also can't just snap their

fingers and go to work at Wal-Mart either, and not just because nobody

will hire the " overqualified " for fear of them quitting.

They also could not do the work if they were hired because those jobs

are often very demanding, much more demanding than people who have not

done them suspect. For example, they require dedication and a strong

willingness to unquestioningly follow instructions and obey at an

instants notice. And they are often quite physically demanding. And of

course, the pay is often very low.

The people with invisible disabilities fall into a very cruel niche.

January 29, 2008

I'm painfully aware of this Live, 10 years ago I used to gross 60,000 working often 14 hour days in my lawn maintenance business and now I can't even earn a living driving a delivery truck, I can't handle simple task's such as balancing my checkbook or handling my finances because of the stress it causes. My brain short circuit's any time it really counts or in other words situations that cause stress " the kind of stress jobs create " . " simple jobs " " simple chores "

I often have to take naps during the day after doing something as mundane as grocery shopping. I'm sleeping in my car to break up my exposure to mold in this " brand new " house I'm living in. Air conditioners make me sick. I react profoundly to food and have to take measures to avoid this.

The playing field isn't even remotely level for us, and were expected to work and compete with others who have their health and are 25 years younger than us for entry level jobs at minimum wage ? Personally I was denied disability and am living off of my savings. I have no insurance I have two pins in my hip socket that are almost 20 years old and am due for a hip replacement. I have a bad back. I'm 48 years old. I lost 10 valuable years of what usually is the most productive part of people's lives. At one time I had 4 homes, now I don't even have one. I can't just live anyplace, I have to live in expensive new homes and even this is a challenge. I think I said before that their are different levels of disability surrounding this illness based on the individuals personal level of reactivity and their environment. I believe I am in the upper end of this spectrum but mitigating it by somewhat controlling my environment.

I still want to try to find that panacea they say can be reached by successfully avoiding mold but haven't found it yet. (still planning on moving out west) Wouldn't it be ironic if this were just some type of chronic infection and if you shake it through avoidance or some other type of effective treatment you make a 100% recovery! All the wasted lives! Why? I hate to point fingers because I know it just makes me look bad. Truth is I'm never going to see any Justice so I may as well get over it. I remember seeing someone on TV that had spent 10 years in jail and he said in the beginning he was bitter and towards the end he just wanted out. I think that's where I am now. I just want my health back, and reasonable accommodations from authorities so that I can get some type of security and dignity back in my life.

Live I think the reason their are so few men like us on these lists is many are struggling just to keep their heads above the water and many of them probably commit suicide. There's no way I could endure living on the street, not in my condition, I just don't have the stamina.

We have different ideas about who's wearing the black hats but were in the same boat.

,

I don't think thats accurate to say that mold illness is treatable by

avoiding mold. I think its more accurate to say that for

people with mold illness, once they reach a certain point, it appears

that the damage becomes CUMULATIVE and

there is a very large and ever present risk that unexpected, random

exposure could push someone over the edge in an extremely nonlinear

fashion.

The result of that might be as simple as losing ones ability to

function for weeks or months and losing ones job and needing say a

year or so to recover to the point of being able to work in a less

demanding field again, or it could be as serious as a stroke or

getting cancer and dying.

If you look at the people with chemo brain and what they say about it,

its often very devastating to their lives because they can't do the

kind of work they used to do and they also can't just snap their

fingers and go to work at Wal-Mart either, and not just because nobody

will hire the " overqualified " for fear of them quitting.

They also could not do the work if they were hired because those jobs

are often very demanding, much more demanding than people who have not

done them suspect. For example, they require dedication and a strong

willingness to unquestioningly follow instructions and obey at an

instants notice. And they are often quite physically demanding. And of

course, the pay is often very low.

The people with invisible disabilities fall into a very cruel niche.

January 29, 2008

,

This paper was peer reviewed and published in the European Journal of Infectious Disease.

These are the references for the paper. They are out of sequence because I had to copy the pdf to " clipboard " :<quote>Thanks Sharron, You gave me a lot to digest. I'll let you know what I think once I am able to fully assess it's degree of credibility.

January 30, 2008

Quack,

Molds make mycotoxins so THEY can live. They are made in stressed conditions to

fend off invading and competing organisms. The intent is not affect

humans.....We just happen to get in the way.

Lila

Date: 2008/01/27 Sun PM 06:16:54 CST

To: iequality

Subject: Re: SNK on Responding to a Simple Question