Cladosporium Toxin - the airborne spores of Cladosporium species are significant allergens, and they can severely affect asthmatics and people with respiratory diseases. Cladosporium also produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are neurotoxic. Severe headaches, seizures, and somnolence (= sleepiness or drowsiness) are the most common clinical manifestations.
Cladosporium, a well known trigger for asthmatic attacks, is one of the most widespread molds.
Cladosporium includes about 40 species naturally found in soil, on decaying plant material and as plant pathogens.
In an indoor environment, Cladosporium spp. occur as secondary wall colonizers, appearing after the primary ones such as Penicillium species, Aspergillus versicolor and Wallemia sebi. Cladosporiumis very common on wet building material (e.g., gypsum board, acrylic painted walls, wood, wallpaper, carpet and mattress dust, HVAC fans, and wet insulation in mechanical cooling units).
Cladosporium herbarum is an exceedingly common organism, found on dead herbaceous and woody plants, textiles, rubber, paper, and foodstuffs of all kinds. Indoors, it is found in floor, carpet and mattress dust, damp acrylic painted walls, wallpaper, HVAC insulation, filters and fans. Cladosporium herbarum is frequently the most prominent mold in air-spora. It grows over a wide range of temperatures, and has frequently been reported causing spoilage of meat in cold storage.
Species of Cladosporium are not human pathogens except in some cases of immuno-compromised patients. However, Cladosporium species have the ability to trigger allergic reactions to sensitive individuals. Prolonged exposure to elevated spore concentrations can elicit chronic allergy and asthma.
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Cladosporium is a common mold that can affect the inside or outside of a person’s home.
Most species of Cladosporium do not cause disease in humans. However, long-term exposure to a large amount of any mold, including Cladosporium, can cause adverse health effects, including allergies and asthma symptoms.
Other ailments caused by Cladosporium can include the following:
- eye infectionsa
- ear infections
- skin problems
- sinus infections
The most common health issues from Cladosporium exposure are new or worsening allergies or asthma.
Cladosporium exposure affects people differently. Some people experience no effects from exposure at all. Others who develop an allergy to Cladosporium may have any combination of the following symptoms:
- sneezing
- dry skin
- hives
- itchy throat and eyes
- watery eyes
- coughing
- stuffy or a runny nose
- postnasal drip
In some cases, people with untreated mold allergies and prolonged exposure to molds develop allergic fungal sinusitis.
Sinusitis of this kind results from long-term exposure to an allergen, such as Cladosporium, that gets finely dispersed into the air. The allergen causes fungal debris to grow in a person’s sinus cavities.
In these cases, a person with allergic fungal sinusitis caused by Cladosporium may have the following symptoms:
- long-term nasal congestion
- postnasal drip
- recurring sinus headaches
In other cases, people with Cladosporium allergies may experience asthma symptoms triggered by the exposure to the mold. In these cases, a person may have the following asthma symptoms, in addition to their allergy symptoms:
- wheezing
- tightness in the chest
- coughing
- shortness of breath
Exposure to Cladosporium can sometimes trigger severe asthma attacks, the symptoms of which include:
- severe shortness of breath
- difficulty breathing
- chest tightness and pain
- symptoms that do not respond to a fast-acting inhaler
Anyone experiencing a severe asthma attack should seek emergency medical attention.
Possible treatment options:
Using a nasal decongestant may help to relieve the symptoms of a Cladosporium allergy.
There are several ways of treating Cladosporium-induced allergies, including the following:
- limiting Cladosporium exposure by removal and prevention
- over-the-counter allergy medication
- prescription allergy medication
- immunotherapy
- nasal rinses
There are many medications that a doctor can recommend or prescribe to a person with a Cladosporium allergy. These medications may include a combination of the following:
- prescription or over-the-counter nasal sprays
- antihistamines
- oral or nasal decongestants
People with allergic fungal sinusitis may need surgery to remove the mold particles and blockages from their sinus cavities.
People with asthma can be prescribed rescue inhalers or inhaled steroids to manage and reduce their asthma symptoms.
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Alternaria Toxin (Alternariol) - IgE, Alternaria Toxin (Alternariol) - IgG, Aspergillus Auto-Toxin (Sterigmatocystin) - IgE, Aspergillus Auto-Toxin (Sterigmatocystin) - IgG, Aspergillus Toxin (Aspergillus Hemolysin) - IgE, Aspergillus Toxin (Aspergillus Hemolysin) - IgG, Aspergillus/Penicillium Neuro Auto-Toxin (Gliotoxin) - IgE, Aspergillus/Penicillium Neuro Auto-Toxin (Gliotoxin) - IgG, Cladosporium Toxin (Cladosporium HSP70) - IgE, Cladosporium Toxin (Cladosporium HSP70) - IgG, Ochratoxin (A and B) - IgE, Ochratoxin (A and B) - IgG, Penicillium Toxin (Mycophynolic acid) - IgE, Penicillium Toxin (Mycophynolic acid) - IgG, Satratoxin (IgE), Satratoxin (IgG), Stachybotrys Toxin (Trichothecene) - IgE, Stachybotrys Toxin (Trichothecene) - IgG, T2 Toxin (IgE), T2 Toxin (IgG), Verrucarin and Verrucarol (IgE), Verrucarin and Verrucarol (IgG), Vomitoxin aka Deoxynivalenol (IgE), Vomitoxin aka Deoxynivalenol (IgG)