Immune Response among Patients Exposed to Molds

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

David A. Edmondson²  Christy S. Barrios¹  Trevor L. Brasel³  David C. Straus⁴  Viswanath P. Kurup¹ 

[1] Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Allergy and Immunology Division, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Road, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA; E-Mails:;The Allergy/Immunology Department at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates of North Central Wisconsin, 2801 Westhill Dr. Wausau, WI 54401, USA; E-Mail:;Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA; E-Mail:;Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street Mail stop 6591, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: immune response;    molds;    mycotoxins;    clinical symptoms;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijms10125471

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2009 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland.