Mycotoxin identification in moldy dwellings

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Research Article

Mycotoxin identification in moldy dwellings

Carmel Charpin-Kadouch 1, Gilles Maurel 1, Felipo 1, J Queralt 1,

Myriam Ramadour 2, Henri Dumon 3, Max Garans 4, Alain Botta 5, Denis Charpin 1

5 6 * 1Maison de l'Allergie et de l'Environnement, Marseille, France

2Equipe d'accueil n°-3287, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France

3Laboratoire de Parasitologie et de Mycologie de l'Environnement, Hôpital de

la Timone, Marseille, France

4Service Santé-Environnement, DDASS des Bouches-du-Rhône, Marseille, France

5Equipe d'Accueil n°-1784, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France

6Service de Pneumologie-Allergologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille, France

email: Denis Charpin (_denis-andre.charpin@..._

(mailto:denis-andre.charpin@...) )

*Correspondence to Denis Charpin, Service de Pneumologie Allergologie,

Hôpital Nord, 13015 Marseille, France.

Funded by:

ADEREM (Association pour le Développement des Recherches Médicales)

Keywords mold-mycotoxin • environment • toxicology • indoor pollution

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the level of

macrocyclic trichothecenes (MCT), one of the most potent mycotoxins, on wall

surfaces,

ßoor dust and air samples from moldy dwellings. The study was based on an

index group comprising 15 ßooded dwellings contaminated by Stachybotrys

chartarum or Chaetomium and a control group comprising nine dwellings without

molds

on visual inspection and mold sampling. Three samples were collected from

each dwelling: a sample from the moldy wall, using a swab, a ßoor dust sample

on a 0.5 m2 surface with a cloth and an air sample using a pump comprising a 1

µm Teßon filter. The MCT level was measured using a monoclonal,

antibody-based ELISA test. Compared with measurements performed in index

dwellings,

higher MCT values were measured on ßoor dust samples from moldy dwellings (P

=

0.02). Samples from wall surfaces demonstrated nearly significant differences

(P = 0.06). No significant differences were observed for air samples (P =

0.15), but some samples showed increased MCT levels. Significant correlations

were observed between the levels measured on wall surfaces, ßoor dust and air

samples (P = 0.02 to 0.05). In contrast, no correlation was observed between

moldy surface and MCT levels. In conclusion, this paper reports for the first

time direct evidence for the presence of MCT in moldy dwellings. Copyright ©

2006 Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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Received: 30 March 2006; Revised: 30 May 2006; Accepted: 30 May 2006