The Toxic Effects Of Fungal Exposure 

By Susan Lillard-Roberts

Once one is tested and diagnosed with mycotoxicosis, one should begin to try to assess the extent of the fungal infection and how impaired, if any, one may be.  This is exceptionally important as most physicians are inexperienced in dealing with this illness, and finding out as much as one can would possibly most helpful in describing symptoms and effective treatments. 

Fungi have long been known to affect human well being in various ways, including disease of essential crop plants, decay of stored foods with possible concomitant production of mycotoxins, superficial and systemic infection of human tissues, and disease associated with immune stimulation such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and toxic pneumonitis.  The spores of a large number of important fungi are less than 5 µm aerodynamic diameter, and therefore are able to enter the lungs. They also may contain significant amounts of mycotoxins.  Diseases associated with inhalation of fungal spores can include toxic pneumonitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, tremors, chronic fatigue syndrome, kidney failure, and cancer.

Exposure to molds has become a significant health risk to an increasing number of workers in various occupations throughout the nations. Fungal antigens are able to cause occupational asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS).   In recent years, an increasing incidence of mold-induced diseases has been encountered in moldy contaminated water-damaged buildings. This has occurred both in homes and workplaces. Symptomatic persons occupying moisture problem buildings may develop asthma, rhinitis, ODTS and HP.

There is more information in these references, which fully illustrate the impact when the inhalation of these mycotoxins can have on the body, including the mucous membranes; often mistaken for an "allergic" reaction.  Many allergists disagree that inhalation of these mycotoxins can have such a profound shock on the body, yet there is more and more evidence to back up the fact that there is a direct correlation to other distinct illnesses.

When the World Health Organization recently convened, Dr. A.V. Costantini, head of the organization; an internist who modestly claims to be a "just a country doctor," listed fourteen diseases wherein fungal (mold & Candida Albicans) forms of microorganisms have been found include the following: atherosclerosis, cancer,, AIDS,, diabetes mellitus,, rheumatoid arthritis,, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus , erythematosus,, gout,, Crohn's disease,, Multiple sclerosis,, hyperactivity syndrome,, Infertility,, psoriasis, cirrhosis of the liver, Alzheimer's disease, Scleroderma, Raynaud's Disease, sarcoidosis, kidney stones, amyloidosis, vasculitis, and Cushing's disease. Even most antifungals will not control most cases of Candida, as several unnamed species of Candida have recently been introduced from Africa and Asia, and antifungals and cholestyramine do not treat them effectively alone.

Dr. Costantini, believes that the concept of  "auto-immune" diseases contains a fatal flaw, because no successful species can develop a system of defense which attacks itself. Antibodies that are measured in the blood stream and which imply an autoimmune condition are actually antibodies against ubiquitin, a substance that is present in many species including that of fungi.

Antifungal, anti-mycoplasmic treatments according to Dr. Costantini, by treating various so-called auto-immune diseases with antifungals, including Systemic lupus erythematosus and lichen sclerosis, the disease can possibly be halted. However, many species have become so virulent that treatment may often have to be combined with diet, vitamin/enzymes, and other non-traditional treatments.  There has also been question lately if nano bacteria has been playing into the part of the part of patients who have been having relapses as there has always been a balance of fungi and bacteria in the body before infection occurred.

Among the traditional drugs are found Lovastatin, Griseofulvin, Ketoconazole, Neomycin, Fibrates, Tetracycline and others, some of which may also be effective against Lupus. However, these should all be administered by a health professional, with due consideration for their adverse effects, including that of killing off beneficial microbes, lactobacillus acidophilus, in the intestinal tract. 

Growth of commonly occurring filamentous fungi in foods may result in production of toxins known as mycotoxins, which can cause a variety of ill effects in humans, from allergic responses to immuno-suppression and cancer. The most dangerous mycotoxins are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, trichothecenes and zearalenone, a toxin known for causing infertility and endometriosis. Aflatoxins are potent carcinogens and, in association with hepatitis B virus, are responsible for many thousands of human deaths per annum, mostly in non-industrialized tropical countries.  Ochratoxin A is a carcinogen, and has caused urinary tract cancer and kidney damage in people from northern and eastern Europe.  Fumonisins appear to be the cause of oesophageal cancer in southern Africa, parts of China and elsewhere. Trichothecenes are highly immunosuppressive and zearalenone causes oestrogenic effects in animals and man (see hidden mold for more information).

The important thing is to study these after effects of fungal exposure and understand the symptoms.  furthermore, comprehending your doctor, and definitely be aware of the inept Pharmadoc in these cases, as they can be very dangerous in your diagnosis and treatment, and always know a genuine (truly skilled, educated and unbiased) doctor's role in this process is in this whole array of healing is very important.  See medicine and doctors for further information regarding the insight of a medical degree and awareness of the drug industry influence on naive doctors.

[return to menu]

©2001-2005 Mold-Help All rights reserved