Mold-Induced Disease Patterns
Fungi, also termed molds, are ubiquitous in nature. Humans living in most global environments are routinely exposed to fungal airborne reproductive spores and metabolic products. The mere exposure to mold, therefore, does not equate to a health effect or injury. Although some may be fearful of potential health problems resulting from exposures to indoor fungi, the actual health effects of inhaling mold are well-understood. Superficial fungal lesions are not considered serious medical conditions. Alternatively, significant mold-induced illnesses are well-defined by the medical and scientific communities and occur in one of three clinical disease patterns—immune disorders/allergy, oral toxicity, and fungal infection:
Immune disorders include: (a) allergic respiratory disease such as allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma; (b) hypersensitivity pneumonitis presenting with flu-like symptoms, cough, and pulmonary infiltration often in an occupational setting; and, (c) unusual respiratory conditions located in the bronchial airway or sinuses including allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM), and allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS).
Toxin-induced disease may affect the liver, gastrointestinal tract, brain, or kidney after oral ingestion of poisonous mushroom or foodstuffs contaminated with mycotoxins (mold toxins) in a dose-related manner. When mycotoxins cause human illness, it occurs by ingestion, not by inhalation.
Fungal infections may cause fungal pneumonia after airborne exposure to fungal spores in specific geographic locations. Fungal infections also can be localized or systemic. Immunocompromised individuals have increased susceptibility to systemic fungal infection.