MEDICAL CASES - MALE 65 CEREBRAL MYCOSIS

Central New Jersey - Medical mycologists were contacted by a female daughter reporting that here father a 65 yo had been complaining about headaches. After about month MRI revealed abnormal growth in front right lobe. Surgical excision of growth and subsequent pathology identified genus Aspergillus. Patient treated with antifungals. Patient's family calls for mold inspection and not mold is noted to be present.

2 months later fungal mold growth reappears. Surgery again performed and patient now diagnosed with Cladophiaphora bantiana.

Patients family contact medical mycologists to conduct second investigation of the residence. Sampling identified Cladophiaphora present on numerous surfaces.

SHORT COURSE IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF FUNGAL INFECTION

The Mycological Institute has a page for those that are medically trained (warning medically graphic) entitled "Short Course in Mycoses" for physician and clinicians.

The Brighter Side of Black Mold

There is much overstated when it comes to the the so-called "black mold" as know as Stachybotrys. The purported seminal case often referred is the Cleveland case of hemosiderosis was later discounted as to causation of the condition of bleeding lung in infants in that city.

The medical research does not support any wide claim that this fungus merits the alarm that is generated on the Internet by lay "mold inspectors" .

Many consider such reporting as "mold terrorism" as does this research scientist.

DIAGNOSIS OF A MYCOSiS

Diagnosis of invasive fungal mold is can be conclusively performed with proper diagnostic techniques unique to mycoses.

What are some of the tests used in determining a mycosis or fungal infection is present in a host?

Most common are:

1. X-rays will identify a growth.
2. Diagnostic microscopy.
3. Toxicological tissue assay.
4. PCR
5. ELISA

INFECTIOUS FUNGI AND TOXIC MOLD-MYCOSES

Yes we all know fungal mold can infect our scalp and they call it "ringworm". When it infects our feet they call it "athletes foot" when it is found active either necrotising or involved as a neoplasia in the body they call it a "cancer". Medical mycologist refer to all their conditions as a mycoses (my co sees)

It is know that fungi produce the common alcohol in the intoxicating beverages of the western civilization. Itis actually quite surprising that humans would intentiaonally take a poson for any satisfactory reason.

Neurotoxic fungi and specifically molds are a rare presentation in human habitations. Neuro toxic toxic levels are rarely founded and when they do exist their presence is even less so identified.

MOLD DOGS AND OTHER HOAXES

It is very unfortunate that with even with the best of intentions some people just do not get it right. This is the case with either misunderstanding, naivete, ignorance or just not wanting to know the facts as in the case of the use of dogs for sniffing out mold. Everyone know that our four legged friends are great at sniffing out odors since their survival depends on it more so than for humans. And yes in many cases humans employ animals for their ability to find lost children, search for people trapped under rubble, sniffing for bombs or illegal contraband. These uses are acceptable for there is little to no risk to animals. But in the case of checking for fungi and especially toxic and infectious molds the animals are using the system that is the main port on entry of toxic and infectious molds and that is through the respiratory system.

Medical research is clear and all one has to do is take a quick look to see what it is all about:

http://www.njmoldinspection.com/molddog.html

ALLERGENIC AND INFECTIOUS MOLDS

With so much emphasis on toxic molds we forget that the primary risk is of an allergenic nature since it is very clear that exposure to mold does cause allergic and immune type responses in humans and animals but rarely identified properly.

Infections from mold are at three specific levels topical, subcutaneous and systemic. Diagnosis of such infections are very difficult and too often misdiagnosed as a "cancer".

Pathologists in diagnostic medical mycology understand this very well.