title: Immune response among patients exposed to molds.
abstract: Macrocyclic trichothecenes, mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, have been implicated in adverse reactions in individuals exposed to mold-contaminated environments. Cellular and humoral immune responses and the presence of trichothecenes were evaluated in patients with mold-related health complaints. Patients underwent history, physical examination, skin prick/puncture tests with mold extracts, immunological evaluations and their sera were analyzed for trichothecenes. T-cell proliferation, macrocyclic trichothecenes, and mold specific IgG and IgA levels were not significantly different than controls; however 70% of the patients had positive skin tests to molds. Thus, IgE mediated or other non-immune mechanisms could be the cause of their symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Allergy/Immunology Department at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of North Central Wisconsin, 2801 Westhill Dr., Wausau, WI 54401, USA. dedmondson@westernu.edu
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Edmondson
authors.forename: Christy S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Barrios
authors.forename: Trevor L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Brasel
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Straus
authors.forename: Viswanath P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Kurup
authors.forename: Jordan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Fink
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012882:Skin Tests; D013191:Stachybotrys / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014255:Trichothecenes / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D014255:Trichothecenes