Fungal Spores: Hazardous to Health?

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Fungal Spores: Hazardous to Health?

W.G. Sorenson

http://www.ehponline.org/members/1999/suppl-3/469-

472sorenson/sorenson-full.html

Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health, town, West Virginia USA

Background

Mycotoxins and Mycotoxigenic Fungi

Health Effects Linked with Inhalation of Mycotoxins

Mycotoxins in Spores

Effects of Mycotoxins on Alveolar Macrophages and Immune Function

Abstract

Fungi have long been known to affect human well being in various

ways, including disease of essential crop plants, decay of stored

foods with possible concomitant production of mycotoxins,

superficial and systemic infection of human tissues, and disease

associated with immune stimulation such as hypersensitivity

pneumonitis and toxic pneumonitis. The spores of a large number of

important fungi are less than 5 µm aerodynamic diameter, and

therefore are able to enter the lungs. They also may contain

significant amounts of mycotoxins. Diseases associated with

inhalation of fungal spores include toxic pneumonitis,

hypersensitivity pneumonitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome,

kidney failure, and cancer. Key words: mold, fungi, mycotoxin, lung

disease, toxic pneumonitis. -- Environ Health Perspect 107(suppl

3) :469-472 (1999) .