Attributes of Stachybotrys chartarum and its association with human disease

Mold contamination and toxicities are not limited to crops and animals; they are also a concern in human health. Molds occur in outdoor and indoor environments, and water-damaged buildings harbor and provide substrate for several mold species. Of these, Stachybotrys chartarum poses a particular threat to occupants. Patients with building-related symptoms and infant idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage often have histories of living in moldy, water-damaged buildings. Although a causal connection is far from being unequivocally proven, S chartarum has been associated with such clinical conditions. These illnesses could be attributed in part to mycotoxins released by S chartarum. Recently, a hemolysin released by this mold was found to be hemolytic in vitro and in vivo. In addition, allergenic proteins have been characterized from S chartarum. The exact mechanism of S chartarum pathogenesis has not yet been defined. Moreover, a causality-effect relation is not yet established. This review summarizes available information on the pathogenic attributes of S chartarum and calls for well-controlled objective studies.