Abstrakt

This article is an abridged version of the AWMF guideline “Medical clinical diagnostics of indoor mould exposure” published in 2016 by the Society of Hygiene, Environmental and Preventive Medicine. Indoor mould growth is a potential health risk, although a quantitative and/or causal relationship between the occurrence of specific moulds and health problems cannot be ensured so far. Except from allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and mould caused mycoses, there is only sufficient evidence for an association between mould damage and the following diseases such as allergic respiratory diseases, asthma, allergic rhinitis, extrinsic-allergic alveolitis and increased likelihood of respiratory infections. In this context, the sensitizing potential of moulds is obviously low compared to other environmental allergens. The risk of infection due to moulds is low for healthy people. However, patients on immunosuppression have an elevated risk of infection. Moulds which are able to form toxins can trigger toxic reactions. The generation of toxins is influenced by environmental and growth conditions. The diagnostic tools include medical history, physical examination, and conventional allergy including provocation tests. The use of cellular test systems are rarely required. Mould infestation should be eliminated as far as possible according to the revised version of the mould guideline issued by the German Federal Environment Agency.

Autoreninformation

Autoren

• H. Schweisfurth

Abteilungen

• Pulmologisches Forschungsinstitut, Institute for Pulmonary Research (IPR), Cottbus

Adresse

Prof. Dr. med. Hans Schweisfurth
Pulmologisches Forschungsinstitut
Institute for Pulmonary Research (IPR)
Walther-Rathenau-Straße 11
03044 Cottbus
www.Pulmologisches-Forschungsinstitut.de
Email: [email protected]

Citation