Abstrakt

An updated version of the AWMF mould guideline “Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mould exposure”, first published in 2016, was published in September 2023. A clear causal cause-and-effect relationship still cannot be established from the correspondence of a measured mould exposure and possible health effects. The main reasons for this are the ubiquitous occurrence and corresponding exposure to mould fungi, bacteria occurring simultaneously with mould and very low concentrations of pathogenic components and metabolic products as well as insufficient diagnostic options. Doctors should inform patients affected by indoor damp/mould exposure about the possibilities and limitations of diagnostics. Rational diagnostics, considering risk factors (esp. immunosuppression and atopy), include medical history, physical examination, and conventional allergy diagnostics as well as provocation tests if necessary. Sometimes cellular test systems are indicated. For invasive mould infections, which rarely occur with indoor exposures, please refer to the specific guidelines. Indoor measurements or human biomonitoring (HBM) for specific mould components or metabolites have no relevance in medical diagnostics. In case of visible mould infestation, the causes of the infestation should be clarified instead of the quantitative and qualitative determination of the mould species, so that appropriate measures (on-site remediation of the moisture damage, controlled room ventilation, etc.) can be taken quickly.

Autoreninformation

Autoren

• J. Hurraß¹
• C.E.W. Herr^{2, 3}
• G.A. Wiesmüller^{1, 4, 5}

Abteilungen

• ¹ HYGIUM – Zentrum für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin, Köln,
• ² Bayerisches Landesamt für Gesundheit und Lebensmittelsicherheit München, München,
• ³ Ludwig- Maximilians-Universität München, apl. Prof. „Hygiene und Umweltmedizin“, München,
• ⁴ Labor Dr. Wisplinghoff, Köln,
• ⁵ Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Uniklinik RWTH Aachen, Aachen

Adresse

PD Dr. rer. nat. Julia Hurraß
HYGIUM – Zentrum für Hygiene und Umweltmedizin
Leitung Innenraumhygiene
Horbeller Straße 18-20
50858 Köln
Email: [email protected]

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