Symptoms after mould exposure including Stachybotrys chartarum, and comparison with darkroom disease.

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Symptoms after mould exposure including

Stachybotrys chartarum, and comparison with darkroom

disease.

Al-Ahmad M, Manno M, Ng V, Ribeiro M, Liss GM,

Tarlo SM.

Allergy. 2010 Feb;65(2):245- 55. Epub 2009 Oct 1.

University of Toronto, Department of Medicine, ON,

Canada.

BACKGROUND: Mould-attributed symptoms have included

features which overlap with unexplained syndromes such as sick building

syndrome.

 

OBJECTIVES: We describe questionnaire and chart review

findings in patients following exposure to moulds which include Stachybotrys and

compare responses with two control groups.

 

METHODS: Thirty-two patients presented with symptoms

attributed to mould exposures. Exposure identification for 25 patients had

reported S tachybotrys chartarum as well as other mould (Aspergillus,

Penicillium) , 88% at work. The remaining seven had professionally visualized or

self-reported/ photographic exposure evidence only. A chart review was performed

and a follow-up with a questionnaire, including questions on current health

status, and nonspecific symptoms.

 

RESULTS: Cough, shortness of breath and chest tightness

(at presentation) were reported in 79%, 70% and 64%, respectively, and persisted

>6 weeks in 91%. Skin test(s) were positive to fungal extract(s) in 30%.

Seventeen returned questionnaires were obtained 3.1 (SD 0.5) years after the

initial clinic assessment. Among this subgroup, persisting asthma-like symptoms

and symptoms suggestive of sick building syndrome were frequent, and similar to

a group previously assessed for darkroom disease among medical radiation

technologists. The mould-exposed group more commonly reported they were bothered

when walking in a room with carpets, complained of a chemical or metallic taste

in their mouth, and had problems in concentration when compared with a control

physiotherapist group (P < 0.005).

 

CONCLUSIONS: Although only a minority with health

concerns from indoor mould exposure had demonstrable mould-allergy, a

significant proportion had asthma-like symptoms. Other symptoms were also common

and persistent after the initial implicated exposure.

PMID: 19796210 [PubMed - indexed for

MEDLINE]