You are here:
SPECIFIC MOLDS ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMA IN WATER-DAMAGED HOMES
Citation:
VESPER, S. J., C. MCKINSTRY, C. YANG, R. A. HAUGLAND, C. M. MCKERCSMAR, I. YIKE, M. D. SCHLUCHTER, L. KIRCHNER, J. SOBOLEWSKI, T. M. ALLAN, AND D. G. DEARBORN. SPECIFIC MOLDS ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMA IN WATER-DAMAGED HOMES. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 48(8):852-858, (2006).
Impact/Purpose:
1. Develop and publish a standard method or guidance document for QPCR analysis of microorganisms in environmental samples (air and water filtrates and dust).a standard method or guidance document for QPCR analysis of microorganisms in environmental samples (air and water filtrates and dust). Publication will involve a consensus standards organization. 2. Use QPCR methods to monitor childhood exposures to mold as a part of field studies, in order to establish whether a relationship exists between molds encountered in indoor environments and asthma-related health problems.
Description:
Objective: We sought to determine if specific molds were found in significantly higher concentrations in the water-damaged homes of asthmatic children compared to homes with no visible water damage. Methods: The mold concentrations in the dust in asthmatic children's bedrooms in water-damaged homes (N=60) and control homes (N=22) were measured by mold specific quantitative PCR (MSQPCR). Results: Two molds, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis and Trichoderma viride, had significantly (p < 0.05) higher concentrations in asthmatics homes compared to control homes and three other molds (Penicillium crustosum Group, Stachybotrys chartarum and Wallemia sebi) had p values < 0.1. Conclusions: A relative moldiness index© (RMI©) was developed to predict the likely development of asthma in water-damaged homes in Cleveland.