Can mould impact your health?

Fungi or moulds are present everywhere and we are constantly exposed to them. In most cases, they present no harm to us and if we are inhaling or ingesting mould spores, most of us are capable of eliminating them from the body without any health consequences. However, inhalation or ingestion of sufficient amounts of mould spores and mycotoxins can lead to health problems for some people.

How can mould make someone sick?

Mould can produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins and other organic chemicals that can impact health. Hundreds of potentially toxic mycotoxins have been identified but it is considered that the most toxigenic to public health are trichothecenes, ochratoxins, aflatoxins, zearolone, fumonisins, patulin and citrinin. Significant exposure to these mycotoxins can lead to the development of symptoms in multiple organ systems, including the upper and lower respiratory system, nervous system, skin, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, connective tissue and the musculoskeletal system.

Hypersensitivity or allergic responses via IgE antibodies production to mould is also well recognised. For example, sensitisation to the fungi Alternaria Alternate has been linked to asthma and sensitisation to Aspergillus species has been linked to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and sinusitis.

Direct infections with mould can also occur, but this is rare, like in Aspergillosis (a condition related to  infection with Aspergillus).

Why are some people more susceptible than others?

There can be many factors, but one factor could be a dysregulated immune system. The immune system plays an important role in the effective and successful elimination of infectious pathogens and metabolites, like mould and mycotoxins. If these defence mechanisms are disturbed, there can be an exacerbation of immune system-related conditions, like an exaggerated chronic inflammatory response. This could be one of the reasons why people that are already fighting an infection, like EBV or Borrelia, could be more predisposed to have an exaggerated response to mould exposure.

Genetics may play a role too. Most mycotoxins are metabolised via the human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and through glutathione S -transferase-mediated conjugation with reduced glutathione. Genetic variability of these enzymes may contribute to the inter-individual susceptibility to moulds and mycotoxins.

How can we test for mould exposure?

We employ two main tests to assess for mould exposure:

RealTime Labs Mycotoxin test which uses the ELISA method to detect antibodies prepared against mycotoxins in the urine to screen for sixteen different mycotoxins. Some of the mycotoxins assessed are Ochratoxin A, Zearolone, Aflatoxins (Aflatoxin B1, Aflatoxin B2 and Aflatoxin G1), Gliotoxin, Trichothecenes (Satratoxin G, Satratoxin H and Isosatratoxin F)

Great Plains Laboratory MycoTox which uses advanced mass spectrometry to screen for eleven different mycotoxins in one urine sample. The mycotoxins assessed are Aflatoxin-M1, Ochratoxin A and Gliotoxin from Aspergillus species, Sterigmatocystin and Mycophenolic acid from Penicillium species, Roridin E and Verrucarin A from Stachybotrys species, Enniantin B and Zearolone from Fusarium species, Chaetoglobosin A from Chaetomium globosum species and Citrinin from multiple mould species.

We can also assess for IgE/IgG antibodies against mould species which can indicate hypersensitivity to mould in addition to exposure.

What can be done if you suspect mould exposure?

The treatment strategies will vary from person to person based on which systems have been impacted the most, but the following applies to most cases:

1.       Removal from the source. The most important strategy for treatment is to remove oneself from the source of exposure, which may be easier said than done.

2.       Assess and remediate. If you suspect that the main source of exposure is a water-damaged building, then consider working with a building biologist to assess your home and remediate the place.

3.       Support biotransformation and elimination pathways to enhance the elimination of mycotoxins

4.       Use binders, compounds that can bind to and safely remove toxic compounds from the body,  to support the safe removal of mycotoxins. 

5.       Dietary and lifestyle strategies based on individual needs.