Pathology of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Man A. Croft, D.V.M., Ph.D.

[Guest guest]

http://www.aehf.com/articles/2003Symp.htm

SPEECH TITLE: " Pathology of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Man "

Abstract Information & Notes

A. Croft, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Date of talk: Thursday, June 19, 2003, 2:00pm

Environmental Diagnostic Group Inc.

Phone: 715/757-3756

521 Hilltop

Dr.

Fax: 715/757-9302

Madison, WI

53711 E-

mail: doccroft@...

Veterinary School

Attended: University

of Minnesota

Medical School

Attended:

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Major and date of

Graduation: Ph.D. in

Medical Pathology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison,

Wisconsin.

Current Job

Description:

Study Human diseases within the environment from outbreak of human

disease as a Medical Pathologist.

Other

Information:

Was on Faculty of the University of Wisconsin as Medical

Pathologist, was accepted by the National Institute of Health as a

Medical Pathologist, qualified to research human diseases. Obtain

over $900,000 of highly competitive research grants from the

national Institute of Health while at the University of Wisconsin.

Disclosure

Statement:

None

SPEECH TITLE: " Pathology of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Man "

The speaker has provided the information below.

1.) Goals and objectives: To demonstrate the pathologic changes in

the primary target organs after inhalation verses ingestion exposure

to Trichothecene Mycotoxins in man.

2.) Outline of talk/abstract: A. History of Mycotoxicosis, B.

Detection of " Sick Buildings " ingestion verses inhalation exposure.

Signs and Symptoms expressed by over 6,000 patients exposed to

Trichothecene Mycotoxins, attempting to establish diagnosis. C.

The pathologic changes associated with inhalation exposure to

trichothecene mycotoxins. D. The primary organs involved with

inhalation Mycotoxicosis.

3.) Conclusion of what is to be learned: The primary target organs

of this disease and how this mycotoxin affects every cell in the

body.

4.) References:

a. Croft, W.A., Jarvis, B.B., and Yatawara, C.S.,: Airborne

Outbreak of Trichothecene Toxicosis, In: Atmospheric Environ, 20(3),

549-552 (1986).

b. Croft, W.A., Jastromski, B.M., Croft, A.L., and s,

H.A., " Clinical Confirmation of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis In

Patient Urine, " In: Journal of Environmental Biology 23(3), 301-320

(2002).

The Pathology of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis In Humans

1. The Fingerprint of the Agent Causing the Disease is

Displayed Within the Cells or Tissue of The Body.

2. Degeneration and Necrosis of The Entire Central Nervous

System, Cardiovascular, lung, Digestive Tract, Spleen, Liver,

Kidney, Pancreas, Immune, Skin, Reproductive, Eye, Urinary Bladder

and Prostate.

3. The Signs and Symptoms Described For Trichothecene

Mycotoxicosis Match the Pathology Observed.

4. Every Cell in The Body is Affected or Susceptible to

Trichothecene Mycotoxins When Exposed.

5. The Exposed Cells Are Not Allowed to Grow and Make Cellular

Products in The Rough Endoplasm Reticulum Represents of First

Mechanism of Action on The Cells.

6. The Burning or Denaturation of Tissue From the Epoxide

Molecule is Another Mechanism of Action on The Cells of The Body

Causing Intense Scarring of Organs. (Like Phenol)

7. The Rapidly Turnover Organs Systems Are Affected The Most

Severe, G.I. Tract, Immune System and Reproductive, (like radiation

damage)

8. The Central Nervous System is Severely Affected and is A

Primary Target Organ. The Neurons in the Cerebral Hemispheres,

White and Grey Matter, Brain Stem and even the Ependymal Cells. The

Purkinje Cells of The Cerebellum Are Severely Affected That Affect

Motion and Balance. The Dorsal and Ventral Motor Neurons Are

Destroyed Causing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Peroxidation of

Peripheral Nerves is Also Observed. The Central Nervous System is

The Organ Most Affected as Reported By People Exposed to Toxic

Mold.

9. Lack of Cellular Production, Epoxide- Peroxidation of Lipid

Membranes, Loss of Vessels, Loss of Oxygen From Severe Lung

Scarring, and Loss of Proper Nutrients Due Loss of Functional

Absorption of Intestine Affect the Brain and All Organs of The Body.

10. The Trichothecene Mycotoxins are Cumulative in Their Health

Effects on Organ Systems.

11. Trichothecene Mycotoxins are " Hit and Run " Poisons and are

not Stored in The Body.

12. Inhalation of Trichothecene Mycotoxins Are More Poisonous As

Observed by The Intense Scarring of The Alveolar Tissue Than

Consumption Due To The Neutralization of Mycotoxin by Bacteria.

13. Depression of the Immune System Allows for Increase

Infections by Bacteria, Viral, Fungal and Cancer to Form.

14. Yeasts are allowed to Colonize the Intestine Tract Because

They Are Resistant to Trichothecene Mycotoxins.

15. Yeast Can Cause Diabetes Mellitus, Gout and Prevent Proper

Liver Function to Detoxify Xenobiotics.

16. Trichothecene Mycotoxins are Released Within the Urine and

Feces as Evidenced by The Pathology Observed Within Those Tissues.

17. Children Exposed to Trichothecene Mycotoxins are 100 to 1000

X more susceptible because stems are killed not allowing for

additional growth within the individual.

18. There is No Safe Level of Exposure to Trichothecene

Mycotoxins.

19. The third Mechanism For Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis is To

Develop Anaphylaxis to Mold Allergens When Mycotoxin Leaves The

Body.

Dr. Croft, (Medical Pathologist)

Stages of Mycotoxicosis: For Inhalation of Mycotoxin

The three Stages (1-3) ranging from lower to higher severity of

poisoning were modified according to exposure via the air as opposed

to ingestion already established (Forgacs et al., 1962; Joffe,

1971). A separate Stage of convalescence occurs when a patient is

completely removed from the contaminated premises and the source of

mycotoxin or mold spores.

Stage 1: The primary changes are in the brain, respiratory and

immune systems, mucus membranes and gastrointestinal tract. Signs

and symptoms may include burning sensation in the mouth, tongue,

throat, palate, esophagus, and stomach, which is a result of the

action of the toxin on the mucous membranes and skin in the exposed

areas. Moist areas of the body armpits, under breasts, belt line and

groin are more sensitive or first affected. Patients may report

burning within the eyes, ears and nose. Patients also reported that

their tongues felt swollen and stiff. Mucosa of the oral cavity may

be hyperemic. Mild gingivitis, stomatitis, glositis, and esophagitis

developed. Inflammation, in addition to gastric and (small and

large) intestinal mucosal, resulted in vomiting, diarrhea and

abdominal pain. Excessive salivation, headache, dizziness, weakness,

fatigue and tachycardia were also present.

There may be fever and sweating. The respiratory system develops

burning sensations and congestion. Severe exposure to mycotoxin

within the lungs may lead to congestion, edema and failure, due to

caustic action. Body temperature remains normal and controllable by

the patient. The poisoning appears and disappears relatively quickly

in this Stage with the exception of, lungs and central nervous

system. Initially (Stage 1), the patient's symptoms are very

uncomfortable or painful. As the poisoning continues and the patient

progress toward Stage 2, he or she becomes accustomed to the

presence of the mycotoxin and a quiescent period follows due to lack

of nerve sensation. Depending on exposure levels, the first Stage

may last from 3 - 9 days. In scoring the 50 signs and symptoms

listed in Tables-1 and 2, an average score range of 20-45 represents

Stage 1.

Stage 2 : This Stage is often called the latent Stage or incubation

period because the patient feels apprehensive, but is capable of

normal activity in the beginning of this Stage. Every organ of the

body is affected by degeneration and necrosis with continued

exposure. The primary target organs for an individual become evident

over time, due to biological variation. These are disturbances in

the central and autonomic nervous systems resulting in headaches,

mental depression, loss of short-term memory, loss of problem-

solving ability, various neuropsychiatric manifestations, meningism,

severe malaise and fatigue, narcolepsy, loss of temperature control,

hyperesthesia or numbness of body areas, and cerebellar dysfunction

including hypotonia, attitude and gait, dysmetria, asthenia,

vertigo, disturbances of speech, and loss of balance (Best, 1961).

Spinal cord degeneration may also be observed in gait and reflex

abnormalities, such as the ability to drive vehicles, ride bicycles

or pass sobriety tests (inability to tolerate ethyl alcohol).

Attention deficient disorder may be observed in children. Various

systems may include: Eyes: visual disturbances, floating objects,

light sensitive, lack of tears, burning and itching. Ears: burning,

itching, and loss of hearing. Immune and hematopoietic: progressive

loss of white and red cells including a decrease of platelets and

hemoglobin, and high susceptibility to bacterial, mycotic and viral

infections, debilitating chemical and allergies. Gastrointestinal:

metallic taste in mouth, tooth loss, gum problems, stomatitis, sores

in gums and throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation,

excessive flatulence, abdominal distention, hepatitis, pancreatitis,

and diabetes mellitus. Respiratory : burning and bleeding from nasal

membranes, respiratory difficulty, asthma, extreme susceptibility to

cold, flu and pneumonia. Skin: thinning of hair on head, burning on

face, rashes, irritation, and edema. Renal: proteinuria, possible

hematuria. Reproductive: irregular ovarian cycles, increased

menstrual flow, fibroid growths in uterus, cystic development in

mammary glands, and tumors of mammary and prostate glands.

Musculoskeletal : somatitis, muscle weakness, spasms, cramps, joint

pain, enlargement of joints in hand, and clubbing of fingers.

Cardiovascular: chest pain, palpitations, ruptures of atrial walls,

myocardial infection and aneurysm of arteries.

The skin and mucous membranes may be icteric, pupils dilated, the

pulse soft and labile, and blood pressure may decrease or increase.

The body temperature does not exceed 38 degree C and the patient may

be afebrile, or chilled. Visible hemorrhagic spots may appear on the

skin. Thoughts of suicide may be prominent in the person's mind at

this time or anytime in Stage 2. Human bonding is very important for

survival.

Degeneration and hemorrhages of the vessels marks the transition

from the second to the third Stage of the disease and may not be

consistently observed. The degeneration of the vital organs

including serious respiratory insufficiency or asthma and CNS

degeneration will take the patient into Stage three along with

development of necrotic angina. If exposure continues, depending on

exposure levels, Stage 2 may continue from weeks to months or even

years until the symptoms of the third Stage develop. Evaluating the

50 signs and symptoms (Table-1 and 2) by assigning a score (0-least

intense to 5-most intense or severe) to each symptom, we have

determined that an average score range of 45-180 represents Stage 2.

Stage 3: Severe degeneration of the vital organs. The transition

from the second to the third Stage is sudden. In this Stage, the

patient's resistance is already low, and violent severe symptoms are

present, especially under the influence of stress, or associated

with physical exertion and fatigue. The first visible sign of this

Stage may be lung, brain or heart failure (heart attack), with or

without the appearance of petechial hemorrhage on the skin of the

trunk, the axillary and inguinal areas, the lateral surfaces of the

arms and thighs, the face and head, and in serious Cases, the chest.

The petechial hemorrhages vary from a few millimeters to a few

centimeters in diameter. There is increased capillary fragility and

any slight trauma may cause the hemorrhages to increase in size.

Aneurysms of the brain or aorta may be observed by angiography.

Hemorrhages may also be found on the mucous membranes of the mouth

and tongue, and on the soft palate and tonsils. There may be severe

interstitial thickening or scarring of the lungs, or respiratory

failure. Nasal, gastric and intestinal hemorrhages and hemorrhagic

diathesis may occur. Necrotic angina begins in the form of catarrhal

symptoms and necrotic changes soon appear in the mouth, throat, and

esophagus with difficulty and pain on swallowing. Severe

degeneration of the skin on the face, eyelids, and loss of lashes is

also often present.

Necrotic lesions may extend to the uvula, gums, buccal mucosa,

larynx, vocal cords, lungs, stomach, and intestines and other

internal organs such as the liver and kidneys and are usually

contaminated with a variety of avirulent bacteria. Bacteria

infection causes an unpleasant odor from the mouth due to the

enzymatic activity of bacteria on proteins. Areas of necrosis may

also appear on the lips and on the skin of the fingers, nose, jaws,

and eyes. Regional lymph nodes are frequently enlarged. Esophageal

lesions may occur and involvement of the epiglottis may cause

laryngeal edema and aphonia (loss of voice). Death may occur by

strangulation.

Patients may suffer an acute parenchymatous hepatitis accompanied by

jaundice. Bronchopneumonia, pulmonary hemorrhages, and lung

abscesses are frequent complications. Tumors may develop of various

organs, including skin, urinary bladder, brain, mammary gland, bone,

immune, liver, prostate, possibly resulting in death. The most

common cause of death is brain failure due to both direct effects of

the mycotoxin on the central nervous system and indirect effects due

to respiratory failure or lack of oxygen to the brain caused by the

severe caustic inflammation (fibrinous exudation) reaction with the

lung tissue, rendering it non-functional. Again, using the scoring

system represented in Tables-1 and 2, an average score of greater or

equal 180 represents Stage 3.

Stage of Convalescence: The course and duration of this Stage 3

depends on the intensity of the poisoning and complete removal of

the patient from the premises or source of mycotoxin. Therefore, the

duration of the recovery period is variable. There is considerable

cellular necrosis and scarring to all major organs of the body in

which cells will not regenerate, including the brain, spinal cord,

eyes, lung, heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, adrenal, and blood

vessels. If the disease is diagnosed during the first Stage,

hospitalization is usually unnecessary, but allergies and asthma

should be monitored closely. If the disease is diagnosed during the

second Stage and even at the transition from the second to third

Stages, early hospitalization may preserve the patient's life. If

however, the disease is only detected during the third Stage, death

cannot be prevented in most Cases.

1. Croft, W. A., Jastromski, B. M., Croft, A. L., and s, H.

A., " Clinical

Confirmation of Trichothecene Mycotoxicosis in Patients

Urine " , In: Journal of

Environmental Biology 23(3), 301-320 (2002)

2. .Forgacs, J., and W. T. Carll : Mycotoxicoses. In : Advances in

Veterinary

Science. Academic Press, New York and London, pp 273-372

(1962).

[Guest guest]

, thank you for posting this. There are a number of things he

just mentions in passing that I think are really important to

understanding why stachy is so damaging.

People should take the phrases described in Dr. Croft's paper that

they don't understand and take them to a medical encycopedia web site

so they can understand the meanings of them.

One good site is at

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/hp.asp

Also, people should be aware of PubMed at

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

At the PubMed web site you can easily search for any medical term, for example:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?term=trichothecene & sourceid=mozilla-sea\

rch & db=PubMed & orig_db=PubMed & dispmax=20 & dopt=DocSum

On 8/12/07, tigerpaw2c <tigerpaw2c@...> wrote:

> http://www.aehf.com/articles/2003Symp.htm

>

> SPEECH TITLE: " Pathology of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Man "

>

> Abstract Information & Notes

>

> A. Croft, D.V.M., Ph.D.

> Date of talk: Thursday, June 19, 2003, 2:00pm

>

> Environmental Diagnostic Group Inc.

> Phone: 715/757-3756

>

> 521 Hilltop

> Dr.

> Fax: 715/757-9302

>

> Madison, WI

> 53711 E-

> mail: doccroft@...

>

>

[Guest guest]

Barb,

You know that its extremely difficult to catch stachy when it is sporulating,

don't you?

So not finding stachy spores in spore trap air samples or not finding

stachy spores on bulk samples does not mean that you don't have stacy,

it means that its not sporulating.

Research done by Dr. Straus and others has shown that many buildings that

have had water issues have high levels of macrocyclic trichothecenes in

'particles smaller than conidia' - Those particles stay toxic for a

long time if they

are not addressed. I am surprised you have not simply stripped all the sheetrock

off of your walls piece by piece and cleaned them out.

That is often what needs to be done.

See

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/71/1/114 or for a reprint PDF

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/reprint/71/1/114.pdf

>Stachy has never been found in my house but I had significant amount

of tricothecenes in my urine per tested by Dr Croft. I never

thought about that.

I don't think that given the persistance of stachy toxins that its

surprising at all.

>Professional testing done once and rest culture

plates. I KNOW culture plates do not catch stachy but I figure if I

find where house mold is coming from, and clean it up, I will have

caught the stachy also plus alot of bacteria as well.

>I could spend every penny I have trying to find a particular type of mold

Why? Why not just get the whole place cleaned out as best as you can

and then keep it dry?

>so just looking at the big picture. If some place has had enough wetness to

have stachy, figure other molds must be there also. Wouldn't that

be true, or does stachy TAKE OVER an area and kill other molds and

is there all by itself???

--- In , LiveSimply <quackadillian@...>

wrote:

>

> , thank you for posting this. There are a number of things he

> just mentions in passing that I think are really important to

> understanding why stachy is so damaging.

>

>

---original posting----

http://www.aehf.com/articles/2003Symp.htm

SPEECH TITLE: " Pathology of Trichothecene Mycotoxins in Man "

Abstract Information & Notes

A. Croft, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Date of talk: Thursday, June 19, 2003, 2:00pm

Environmental Diagnostic Group Inc.

Phone: 715/757-3756

521 Hilltop

Dr.

Fax: 715/757-9302

Madison, WI

53711 E-

mail: doccroft@...

>

[Guest guest]

Barb,

The stachy in my home did not show on initial air-sample testing, and

actually, it was 'accidently' found during remediation for the other

molds that did.

It was inside the wall cavity surrounding the tub/shower (and shared

with my bedroom). The ceramic tile shower appeared to be in good

condition, all grout intact and caulking well maintained. They said the

grout 'failed' due to age - it was allowing the water to seep through,

even though there were no visible cracks. A very small, old-looking

water stain on the basement ceiling was sanded by the remediation crew

and it crumbled and gave way to reveal the problem in the wall above.

The stachy was inside two adjoining walls around the tub, and spreading

through the subfloor under the tub and on the other side under the

hardwood bedroom floor. There was no indication in the bathroom or

bedroom that this was happening (except how awfully sick I was). The

only sign was the small dry watermark type stain below on the basement

ceiling - which wasn't even black; probably about as big around as the

diameter of a drinking glass. Clearance testing after all contaminated

materials were removed was then positive for stachy - because it had

been disturbed. And, apparently then the spores were still in the air.

The only logical explanation for how sick I was is that the toxins, but

not the spores, were present before and during that initial test.

I think with current, common testing methods, stachy can be a stealth

mold.

Sue

> LiveSimply <quackadillian@...> wrote:

>

> Barb,

>

> You know that its extremely difficult to catch stachy when it is

sporulating,

> don't you?

>

> So not finding stachy spores in spore trap air samples or not finding

> stachy spores on bulk samples does not mean that you don't have stacy,

> it means that its not sporulating.

[Guest guest]

stachy dies back when it dries and isn't really noticeable.

the only tome you might see it is when it's wet and growing. and it

really likes the dark, I never saw any black mold for years only

noticed my house dust was getting black toward the end of liveing

there when it was getting accumalated pretty heavy in the first floor

walls. the dry mold dust was what was makeing me more sick more

constant as it accumalated in the house.

my experience with it is that it's when it's dry and airborne is when

it gets in your system. I always had relief when it was rainy.

the spores and toxins accumalate inside,settle and get stirred up by

windy days and air currents from heating systems. in a cictoria built

home with steep roof and open inside walls to basement most

accumalation was roof edges(sofit area) and because tin drip on roof

ledges was not done right this added to leaks thar ran inside walls

down to basement and mold dust settled to the basement and areas

inside walls which resulted in higher exposures when dry windy days

stirred it up and blew into liveing areas and in winter from dry mold

dust getting blown up from basement. to me haveing stachy from roof

leaks where it dies between rains means lots of myco's being put out

everytime it grows and starts drying.

weather it was the 100+ years of dust in this home or the extra help

of bat poo and pee(from them getting in where flashing was missing on

the roof) or the horse hair plaster that help it grow, I dont know.

what I do know is that the second home which had a constant

moisture/hummidity problem,

aspergillus/penicillium,chaetomium,alternaria where the over takeing

molds. stachy was found there on tape test so it was there but the

moisture in this home may have kept it weighed down and slimed more.

but what ever blew out of the duct work made me throw up constantly

amoung other things and vomitoxin comes to mind. however mold testing

there was not done while I was still liveing there and ac was on but

with moisture problems in this home it might be very hard to get good

testing if asp/pen is going to overgrow on test samples.? and I cant

afford more testing right now.

[Guest guest]

Jeanine, where did you do tape tests that found stachy...on door

ledges or in cold air returns...?

>

> stachy dies back when it dries and isn't really noticeable.

> the only tome you might see it is when it's wet and growing. and it

> really

[Guest guest]

Thanks Carl, I have little dought that there were several molds not

detected in my second house and with moisture problems and humidity

documented even in the fall when air tests were done and humidity was

twice as hugh as outside, no dought of voc's and bacteria there. a

correction on my post that ac was NOT on at time of testing and I was

no longer liveing there. went in once that summer and it was like a

sauna in there. ever see a house so infested that it created it's own

moisture problem? to much to get into with this place but basidly

fraud,fraud and more fraud. a half assed remediation took place in

order to make it appear liveable after setting 30+ years broke down,

mold infested. the list is a long one for lies on disclosure

statement. a example: it advertized a new drilled well with plentiful

water supply which ended up being a 60+ year old bang well,

contaminated,caseing completely rusted away and they put 5 ft. of new

caseing in the top and a new well cap on it. NRD put camera's down in

it. surface water running in,ect. had to fill it as it's been caveing

in around it. a case of ex realestate agent and her husband that knew

exactly what was at stake, bought cheap, rigged up to sale by another

real estate broker,lifelong friends. they even went and got a lawyer

together and had him send me a letter saying I was hurrassing them

and to have no further contact.

this was after they had no problem haveing house tested for rayon but

when rayon testing co. said it needed tested for toxic molds I was

than hurrassing them by asking for this to be done. and gee, at the

time the real estate broker was begging me to let him work out the

problems found so far which included the well and had been promiseing

me a new drilled well and was so nice lol's that he even insisted on

testing the water for contamination himself when after the first

several weeks went by and the water in the " new " drilled well didn't

clear up like promised. you know, those new drilled wells have to run

awhile at first.

thing was, his water test came back normal while the health dept.

tests didn't. hehe, oops I forgot to tell him that the health dept.

and NRD had been on the case of the contaminated " new drilled well " .

and when I did tell him after he handed me his results that showed no

contamination, he became quite nervous and than said we'd just go by

the results of the health dept. as he probably did his wrong. thing

is that no matter how wrong you do it you cant make contaminated

water come back not contaminated.

just a small example of goings on at the death house that tried to

kill me..