host posted on April 08, 2009 13:06
A number of toxins produced by molds (mycotoxins) have been shown to cause bleeding or hemorrhage in experimental animals. Hemorrhage-causing molds have been found in a number of different mycotoxins, including the Trichothecene mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys, the fuminosin mycotoxins produced by Fusarium, and aflatoxins produced by some species of Aspergillus.
Exposure to Stachybotrys, and other molds and their mycotoxins, have been associated with life threatening lung hemorrhage in children. Ruth Etzel, M.D. and colleagues published a paper in Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, August 1998 which described 10 cases of infant pulmonary hemorrhage in Cleveland. These infants suffered severe lung bleeding (hemorrhage), difficulties breathing, blue color, and acute fatigue. Infant lung hemorrhage can occasionally be fatal.
Many of the homes of the 10 infants have experienced water damage and obvious mold growth. Airborne mold levels in these homes were 40 times higher in the homes of lung hemorrhage patients as compared homes of 27 controls. Airborne levels of Aspergillus and Stachybotrys were 50 and 11 times higher in homes of lung hemorrhage patients as compared to controls. Levels of total mold and Stachybotrys in house dust were 10 times and 1 billion times higher in the homes of the lung hemorrhage infants as compared to controls. Etzel et al. conclude that mold exposure is probably linked to infant lung hemorrhage. Exposure to cigarette smoke has also been linked to lung hemorrhage in infants.
Other studies have reported that those heavily exposed to molds often suffer epistaxis (nose-bleeds) and/or internal bleeding.
Luke Curtis MS, MD, CIH