Journal Top Ten, Columns-Mold, October 2005

TITLE: "Inhalational mold toxicity: fact or fiction? a clinical review of 50 cases"

SUMMARY: The objective was to conduct a retrospective review of 50 cases of purported mold-induced toxic effects and identify unrecognized conditions that could explain presenting symptoms; to characterize a subgroup with a symptom complex suggestive of an aeroirritation-mediated mechanism and compare this group to other diagnostic categories, such as sick building syndrome and idiopathic chemical intolerance; and to discuss the evolution of toxic mold syndrome from a clinical perspective. Eighty-two consecutive medical evaluations were analyzed of which 50 …