Prevalence of Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins (Ochratoxin, Aflatoxin, and Gliotoxin) and Their Distribution in the Urinalysis of ME/CFS Patients.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled cross-sectional case series
PubMed 35206241 · doi:10.3390/ijerph19042052
What was done
Urinary levels of Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins—Aflatoxin (AF), Ochratoxin A (OTA), and Gliotoxin (GT)—were evaluated in 236 ME/CFS patients diagnosed in South Florida who reported a history of chronic mold exposure (e.g., from water-damaged buildings).
What was found
Evidence of mycotoxin exposure was detected in 92.4% of the mold-exposed ME/CFS patients, with OTA identified as the most prevalent toxin. Urinary distributions of OTA, AF, and GT were right-skewed, while patient age showed a normal distribution. Specific quantitative concentrations and individual positivity rates for AF and GT were not reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study provides preliminary epidemiological data showing high mycotoxin detection rates in a specific subset of mold-exposed ME/CFS patients, serving as a baseline to inform future controlled studies.
Limits
The study lacked a healthy or unexposed control group. Participants were preselected for reported mold exposure, introducing substantial selection bias. Urinary excretion reflects exposure or clearance rather than proving causation in ME/CFS, and exact numerical concentrations were omitted from the abstract.
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