DOUBLE BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED EXPOSURE TO MOULDS

摘要

The objective was to study the clinical importance of experimental exposure to moulds in sensitive subjects with experienced building related symptoms (BRS) at work. From three water damaged schools eight employees with a positive histamine release test to Penicillium chrysogenum were on three different days double blinded exposed to either placebo, air with app. 600 000 spores/m of P. chrysogenum or T. harzianum for app. 6 minutes. A statistically significant rise in symptoms from mucous membranes appears from the 9-graded symptom scale after exposure to T. harzianum or placebo. Dichotomising the data, whether the participants experienced at least a two-step rise on the symptom scale or not, gave near-significant increase in mucous membrane symptoms after exposure to P. chrysogenum. In conclusion exposure to two different moulds in large concentrations did not result in more reactions than placebo in this double blinded set-up involving sensitive school employees.