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Indoor mold spore exposure: a possible factor in the etiology of multifocal choroiditis
Reuven Rudich1, John Santilli, William J Rockwell
1Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, St Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. inurr@worldnet.att.net
Purpose:
To report on the correlation between indoor mold exposure and a case of multifocal choroiditis (MFC).
Design:
Observational case report.
Methods:
A 37-year-old woman diagnosed with MFC who had had extensive mold exposure underwent an allergic evaluation, including a comprehensive environmental history, physical examination, radioallergosorbent test, and skin testing.
Results:
The patient's vision deteriorated after numerous recurrences of MFC triggered by exposure to extremely high mold environments (mold counts recorded between 3,000 and 13,000 mold spores/m(3)).
Conclusions:
Exposure to high indoor mold count environments may be a factor in the etiology of MFC. Further studies are indicated.
Insights
High indoor mold exposure may trigger multifocal choroiditis (MFC) recurrences. This case report suggests a link between elevated mold counts and vision deterioration in MFC patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Environmental Medicine
- Allergology
Background:
- Multifocal choroiditis (MFC) is an inflammatory eye condition.
- The potential environmental triggers for MFC are not fully understood.
- Indoor mold exposure is a common environmental concern.
Observation:
- An observational case report details a 37-year-old woman with MFC.
- The patient experienced extensive exposure to high indoor mold environments.
- Allergic evaluation included environmental history, physical exam, and allergy testing.
Findings:
- The patient's vision significantly worsened following MFC recurrences.
- These recurrences were strongly associated with exposure to environments with extremely high mold counts (3,000-13,000 spores/m³).
Implications:
- High indoor mold counts may be an etiological factor in multifocal choroiditis.
- This suggests a potential environmental link requiring further investigation.
- Managing indoor mold exposure could be relevant for MFC patients.