Research Article
Jack Dwayne Thrasher,1 Michael R. Gray,2 Kaye H. Kilburn,3, 4
Donald P. Dennis, and Archie Yu6
1Citrus Heights, CA, USA
2 Progressive Healthcare Group, Benson, AZ 85602, USA
3Neurotest, Inc., Pasadena, CA 91107, USA
4USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
5Center for ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery, Atlanta, GA 30327, USA
6Compliance Solution, Honolulu, HI 96823, USA
Correspondence should be addressed to Jack Dwayne Thrasher, toxicologist1@msn.com
Received 16 July 2011; Accepted 4 September 2011
Academic Editor: Janette Hope
Copyright © 2012 Jack Dwayne Thrasher et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
Cited.
A family of five and pet dog who rented a water-damaged home and developed multiple health problems. The home was analyzed for species of mold and bacteria. The diagnostics included MRI for chronic sinusitis with ENT and sinus surgery, and neurological testing for neurocognitive deficits. Bulk samples from the home, tissue from the sinuses, urine, nasal secretions placenta, umbilical cord, and breast milk were tested for the presence of trichothecenes, aflatoxins, and Ochratoxin A. The family
had the following diagnosed conditions: chronic sinusitis, neurological deficits, coughing with wheeze, nose bleeds, and fatigue among other symptoms. An infant was born with a total body flare, developed multiple Cafe-au-Lait pigmented skin spots and diagnoses with NF1 at age 2. The mycotoxins were detected in bulk samples, urine and nasal secretions, breast milk, placenta, and umbilical cord. Pseudomonas aueroginosa, Acinetobacter, Penicillium, and Aspergillus fumigatus were cultured from nasal secretions (father and daughter). RT-PCR revealed A. fumigatus DNA in sinus tissues of the daughter. The dog had 72 skin lesions (sebaceous glands and lipomas) from which trichothecenes and ochratoxin A. were detected. The health of the family is discussed in relation to the most recent published literature regarding microbial contamination and toxic by-products present in water-damaged buildings.
Conclusion: Mycotoxins testing demonstrated that ochratoxin A was the predominant mycotoxin in samples of urine, nasal secretions, breast milk, placenta, and umbilical cord. Lesser concentrations of macrocyclic trichothecenes were also detected. A newborn girl had a total body flare and had
Cafe-au-Lait pigmentation spots. The infant is scheduled for further evaluation for her NF1 condition. This case study indicates that mold and bacteria and by-products in water damaged homes are most likely the cause of the adverse health conditions of these occupants.
Click on link below for a copy of the full manuscript:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3246741/?tool=pubmed