Moulds in the belfry: Real or hype

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Moulds in the belfry Real or hype?

• Michael R. McGinnis, Ph.D.
• Professor
• Department of Pathology
• University of Texas Medical Branch
• Galveston, Texas 77555-0740
• mmcginni_at_utmb.edu

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Health Problem
Establishing the cause-effect relationship
between indoor amplification of fungi and the
health problem of the building resident.
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(No Transcript)
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Exposure and Disease
1. Exposure. a. inhalation of conidia,
spores, hyphae, cell wall components,
mycotoxins, MVOCs     b. contact by conidia,
spores, hyphae, cell wall components,
mycotoxins, MVOCs     c. ingestion of conidia,
spores, hyphae, mycotoxins
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Exposure and Disease (continued)
2. Disease. a. allergic
alveolitis, anaphylaxis, asthma,
conjunctivitis, dermatitis, hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, rhinitis, rhinosinusitis,
sinusitis b. irritant
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Exposure and Disease (continued)
c. mycotoxicosis 1). fungal volatile organic
compounds mycotoxin biosynthetic
pathway 2). mycotoxins and other secondary
metabolites inhalation,
ingestion, skin contact
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Exposure and Disease (continued)
d. invasive 1). exceptionally
rare 2). immunocompromised patients
3). aspergillosis 4). invasive
sinusitis
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Exposure from mould growth indoors
indoors
Background exposure from all sources and agents
outdoors
Individuals health and genetics
Baseline health status
Final health status
Effect of indoor exposure
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Factors involved in the relationship between
human health and indoor mould growth

• Individuals health and genetics.
• a. genetic predisposition (atophy,
  cytochrome
• PYP1A2)
• b. allergic, respiratory disease
• c. infection, especially
  immunosuppressive
• viruses
• d. alcoholism
• e. drug abuse
• f. immunosuppression

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Continued

• 2. Background exposure.
• a. pollen (numerous genera and species)
• b. mites and insects (primarily feces)
• c. fungi (ascomycetes, basidiomycetes,
• mycotoxins, FVOCs)
• d. bacteria (Gram-negative bacteria,
  aerobic
• actinomycetes, mycobacteria,
  endotoxin)
• e. pet dander

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continued

• 3. Mould growth following water intrusion.
• a. single to multiple species
• b. water activity in substrate,
• temperature, relativity humidity
• c. dispersal mechanisms
• d. allergenic, toxigenic, infective
• potential