title: Chronic illness associated with mold and mycotoxins: is naso-sinus fungal biofilm the culprit?
abstract: It has recently been demonstrated that patients who develop chronic illness after prior exposure to water damaged buildings (WDB) and mold have the presence of mycotoxins, which can be detected in the urine. We hypothesized that the mold may be harbored internally and continue to release and/or produce mycotoxins which contribute to ongoing chronic illness. The sinuses are the most likely candidate as a site for the internal mold and mycotoxin production. In this paper, we review the literature supporting this concept.
authors.affiliation: Plaza Infectious Disease and St. Luke's Hospital, 4320 Wornall Road, Suite 440, Kansas City, MO 64111, USA. jbrewer@plazamedicine.com.
authors.forename: Joseph H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Brewer
authors.forename: Jack D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Thrasher
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hooper
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D001234:Aspergillus niger / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000633:toxicity / Q000652:urine; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D010256:Paranasal Sinuses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D009183:Mycotoxins