ABSTRACT
Food contamination and water-damaged buildings represent two human exposures to mold biocontaminants. Mycotoxins are associated with a variety of illness, including some cancers, rhinosinusitis, asthma, and inammatory bowel disease. The primary challenge for clinicians is that while mycotoxins may inuence the onset and progression of disease, the same diseases occur in the complete absence of mold. Except in the setting of massive food contamination (such as Balkan Endemic Nephropathy) or post-hurricane mold overgrowth (Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, LA) the opportunity to treat patients’ underlying mycotoxin-related illness is under-recognized. This chapter outlines the clinically relevant fungi and their mycotoxins, likely exposures, toxic effects, detection, and clinical management. Clinical approaches include detection, avoidance, toxin-binding therapy, and nutritional interventions, especially where underlying nutrient deciencies increase vulnerability.
