Abstract
Mould Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes is known to pose a health risk in indoor environments. Most of its strains can produce several intra- and extracellular trichothecene mycotoxins. Complex secondary metabolites of stachybotrys isolates from mouldy dwellings/public buildings in Slovakia were intratracheally instilled in Wistar male rats (4 microg in 0.2 mL of 0.2 % dimethylsulphoxide; diacetoxyscirpenol as the positive control). After three days, haematological parameters were measured in peripheral blood and inflammatory response biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the results were statistically analysed. Exometabolites proved to suppress red blood cell (RBC), decreasing the total RBC count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit. The exposed rats showed significantly higher total BALF cell count, indicating inflammation, lower alveolar macrophage counts, and increased granulocyte count related to the BALF cells. Due to haematotoxic and inflammation-inducing properties, metabolites of S. chartarum can cause damage to the airways and haematological disorders in occupants of mouldy buildings.
Highlights
Mould Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes is known to pose a health risk in indoor environments
In the fatal infant idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage outbreaks reported in the USA in the 1990’s, the moulds of S. chartarum and Memnoniella echinata were isolated as possible culprits
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is the best and quickest tool to screen for pulmonary toxicants, especially complex mixtures, even if their chemical structure is unknown
Summary
Mould Stachybotrys chartarum (Ehrenb.) Hughes is known to pose a health risk in indoor environments. Occupational pulmonary mycotoxicoses have been reported as a consequence of inhaled microbial toxins through organic dust [4], there has been no clinical evidence of their association with inhaled indoor mycotoxins These are usually produced by Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Trichoderma spp. and cellulolytic Stachybotrys chartarum [5]. In the fatal infant idiopathic pulmonary haemorrhage outbreaks reported in the USA in the 1990’s, the moulds of S. chartarum and Memnoniella echinata were isolated as possible culprits Their toxic effects were confirmed in vitro and in laboratory animals. Our previous study with tracheal organ cultures of one-day-old chicks showed varying ciliostatic activity of chloroform extracts of fungal biomass obtained from pure isolates of indoor moulds Penicillium chrysogenum, P. palitans, Trichoderma viride, Stachybotrys sp., and Aspergillus versicolor from building materials (mineral wool, plasterboard, cardboard). The second aim was to establish their effects on peripheral blood of these animals
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
