William J. Rea

Effects of toxic exposure to molds and mycotoxins in building-related illnesses.

The authors studied 100 patients who had been exposed to toxic molds in their homes. The predominant molds identified were Alternaria, Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Stachybotrys, Curvularia, Basidiomycetes, Myxomycetes, smuts, Epicoccus, Fusarium, Bipolaris, and Rhizopus. A variety of tests were performed on all, or on subgroups of, these patients. Sensitivities and exposures were confirmed in all patients by intradermal skin testing for individual molds (44–98% positive), and by measurement of serum antibodies. Abnormalities in T and B cells, and subsets, were found in more than 80% of the patients. The findings of trichothecene toxin and breakdown products in the urine, serum antibodies to molds, and positive intradermal skin tests confirmed mycotoxin exposure. Respiratory signs (e.g., rhinorrhea, sinus tenderness, wheezing) were found in 64% of all patients, and physical signs and symptoms of neurological dysfunction (e.g., inability to stand on the toes or to walk a straight line with eyes closed, as well as short-term memory loss) were identified in 70% of all patients. Objective abnormal autonomic nervous system tests were positive in all 100 patients tested. Brain scans, conducted using triple-head single photon emission computed tomography, were abnormal in 26 (86%) of 30 (subgroup of the 100) patients tested. Objective neuropsychological evaluations of 46 of the patients who exhibited symptoms of neurological impairment showed typical abnormalities in short-term memory, executive function/judgment, concentration, and hand/eye coordination.

Adverse Health Effects of Indoor Moulds

Purpose: It has long been known that eating moldy food is hazardous, and airborne Aspergillus and other fungi can cause life‐threatening illnesses in immunocompromised patients. However, the possible health risks of indoor mold exposure in immunocompetent humans are controversial. This literature review examines the health effects of indoor airborne exposure to mold.Design: Literature review.Materials and Methods: This review was conducted by searching PubMed and other medical databases, as well as reading recent conference reports.Results: Many studies link exposure to damp or moldy indoor conditions to increased incidence and/or severity of respiratory problems such as asthma, wheezing and rhinosinusitis. Stachybotrys produces trichothecenes and other mycotoxins, which can inhibit protein synthesis and induce hemorrhaging disorders. Indoor mold exposure can alter immunological factors and produce allergic reactions. Several studies have indicated that indoor mold exposure can alter brain blood flow, aut...

Reduction of Chemical Sensitivity by Means of Heat Depuration, Physical Therapy and Nutritional Supplementation in a Controlled Environment

Patients with chemical sensitivity were treated in heat depuration physical therapy units and housed in living facilities, both of which were specially constructed so they were less chemically polluted. Rotary diets of less chemically contaminated water and food were consumed. Two hundred and ten chemically sensitive patients, 156 females and 54 males, aged 13 to 66 years, were placed on the programme. Eighty-six per cent of these improved their symptom scores. Sixty-two per cent, or 48 of 78 patients, had abnormal balance studies. Fifty-seven per cent, or 12 of 21, remeasured after treatment had improved. Fifty per cent or 106 of 210 patients, had autonomic nervous system disorders as measured by the Iriscorder, and 31% had improved after treatment. Sixty-three per cent decreased their levels of toxic chemicals. These results clearly show that heat depuration physical therapy appears to be efficacious in many patients with chemical sensitivity.

Neurotoxicity in single photon emission computed tomography brain scans of patients reporting chemical sensitivities

The subset of patients reporting chemical sensitivity with neurocognitive complaints usually exhibits specific abnormalities of brain metabolism consistent with neurotoxicity, on imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). These recurrent neurotoxic patterns are characterized by a mismatch in tracer uptake between early-and late-phase imaging, multiple hot and cold foci throughout the cortex, temporal asymmetry and increased tracer uptake into the soft tissues and, sometimes, the basal ganglia. Previous studies confirm these neurotoxic findings in patients with neurotoxic chemical exposures and breast implants. Affective processes such as depression do not, alone, show this pattern. These abnormalities in SPECT images correlate with documented neurocognitive impairment. Controlled challenges to ambient chemicals can induce profound neurotoxic changes seen on SPECT imaging in chemically sensitive patients. Detoxification treatment techniques frequently produce significant improvement on brain SPECT brain imaging in these patients. Neurotoxicity appears to be characteristic in many cases of chemical sensitivity.

The treatment of patients with mycotoxin-induced disease.

Twenty-eight incapacitated individuals (average 43 years old, 7 males, 21 females, range 12-70) exposed to molds and mycotoxins were studied and treated with a protocol of cleaning up or changing their environment to be mold free. Injections of the optimum dose of antigens were given as part of the treatment protocol as was oral and intravenous (i.v.) antioxidants; heat depuration (sauna); physical therapy with massage and exercise under environmentally controlled conditions; oxygen therapy at 4-8 L/min for 2 hours with a special wood-grade cellophane reservoir and a glass oxygen container. Many patients were sensitive to plastics; therefore, exposures to these were kept to a minimum. Autogenous lymphocytic factor was given as an immune modulator. Of 28 patients, 27 did well and returned to work. One patient improved but did not return to work during the period of study.

Use of functional brain imaging in the evaluation of exposure to mycotoxins and toxins encountered in desert storm/desert shield

In this retrospective analysis the authors compared brain scintigrams, performed using triple-head single-photon emission computed tomography (tripleSPECT), of subjects who were judged clinically impaired from exposure to toxins during the Desert Storm/Desert Shield military action, and of subjects exposed to mycotoxins, with those of normal controls. The scintigrams for both exposed groups exhibited similar patterns of abnormalities, which were consistent with neurotoxic impairment. The authors conclude that further study is needed to determine whether mycotoxin exposure may be a cause of abnormalities seen in tripleSPECT images.

The Temporomandibular Joint Implant Controversy. Part II: Its Clinical Implications

Fourteen patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) alloplastic implants who exhibit chronic signs and symptoms of chemical sensitivity are discussed. These patients were well before their implantation. Memory loss, confusion, imbalance, dizziness, non-immune vasculitis, petechiae, spontaneous bruising, edema, Raynauds phenomenon, pain and autoimmune dysfunction are some of the symptoms and signs seen. Laboratory data show immunological abnormalities, including positive autoantibodies and altered T and B lymphocyte function. Provocation skin testing shows reaction to their implant material. The symptoms of patients with jaw implants are similar to those patients who experience complications from their breast implants. Similar abnormalities are seen with SPECT brain scan, in the autonomic nervous system, as well as laboratory data. All patients were sensitive to a wide variety of substances including toxic and in some cases to non-toxic chemicals (foods, pollens and molds). These same parameters were als...

Environmental therapy‐induced remission of aplastic anemia

A 52‐year‐old male presented with aplastic anemia. Prior to presentation he had had two rounds of immunosuppressive therapy, which failed to induce remission. A diagnostic work‐up at the Environmental Health Center – Dallas revealed severe dysfunction of the immune and autonomic nervous systems, as well as toxic chemicals in his blood and nutrient deficiencies. Subsequent treatment included avoidance of air, food and water pollutants, rotation elimination diet, and subcutaneous injection therapy. Heat depuration therapy with massage and exercise were also used, as was oral nutrient supplementation. By week 2 of treatment, the patient was experiencing improved levels of energy and was able to exercise. By week 5, the patients hemoglobin began to stabilize. After 2 months he returned home and continued to follow the environmental therapy protocol. By month 8 of treatment, the patient was weaned from blood transfusions. The patient has not required transfusion for 40 months and is in partial remission at th...