Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing – Heterocyclic carbon compound – Hetero-o
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-20
2004-03-09
Warden, Jill (Department: 1743)
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing
Heterocyclic carbon compound
Hetero-o
C436S161000, C435S007310, C435S034000, C435S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06703244
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to human health care, and more particularly to a method for using a patient's urine to confirm the presence of mycotoxicosis in the person.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Trichothecene mycotoxins have been implicated in numerous cases concerning human health. Mycotoxins are found in the spores within the air, and they can be released as a vapor. The major case involving trichothecene mycotoxins occurred in an outbreak of Alimentary Toxin Aleukia near Orenburg, USSR, in the early 1940's. (Joffe 1971) (The cited references are fully described at the end of the detailed description of the invention. Other references of general but relevant interest are also fully cited.) The outbreak involved approximately ten percent of the population. Other cases have been reported that involved trichothecene mycotoxins in cereal grains that were contaminated by trichothecene producing fungi. (Ueno 1977, 1980, 1983) Trichothecene mycotoxins have also been identified in mold contaminated buildings that poisoned its inhabitants. A scientific paper entitled “Airborne Outbreak of Trichothecene Toxicosis” by William A. Croft, B. B. Jarvis, and C. S. Yatawara, Atmospheric Environment 20(3), 549-552 (1986) gives further background to the problems associated with mold contaminated buildings, and that paper is incorporated by reference herein. (Croft et al. 1986) In 1976, the scientific community acknowledged that poisoning by trichothecene mycotoxins is a commonly recognized disease.
Trichothecenes are cytotoxic to animals, humans, bacteria, and fungus, and they have a high affinity for eukaryotes cells. (Ueno 1977) They are known to inhibit protein synthesis at thirty parts per billion (PPB) and can affect every cell in the body. (Ueno 1977) Trichothecenes are used as biological warfare agents, because they can permanently disable people exposed to them. (Talmage 1983) In addition, trichothecenes are carcinogenic for man. (Costantini et al. 1998, 1999)
Trichothecenes mycotoxins have already been studied in animals. (Sato 1977, Ueno 1977) Prior data indicated that most of the mycotoxin administered in levels substantially less than the LD50 is eliminated relatively quickly through the feces and urine. (Talmage 1983) Higher levels of mycotoxin suggest interference with elimination via the gastrointestinal tract 0.8 percent and 17 percent in the urine. (Robison et al. 1979) The prior way to determine exposure of humans to toxic molds, or to the disease of mycotoxicosis, was based on the identification of mold within a building and then attempting to establish exposure. In the past, the medical community relied on mycologists to identify mold species growing in mold-contaminated buildings that caused human health maladies, and also to determine mold spore counts. (Johanning 1999) The prior methods led to confusion among health officials regarding diagnoses and safety issues.
Prior methods of testing for mold poisoning suffered the disadvantage of generating false positive or false negative test results based on mold antigen exposure. A false positive result can occur depending on the time of exposure. A brief mold exposure years earlier would generate antibodies that would still be present even though no mold exposure had occurred since.
A false negative result can exist if the blood is tested for the presence of mold antibodies. In order for the immune system to indicate the presence of mold exposure, it must generate antibodies against the exposed mold spores. The mycotoxin attacks the immune system, preventing the generation of antibodies. Therefore, testing for such a mold within the blood, and finding none, indicates no exposure to the mold. That result could well be a false negative.
Another possible cause of a false negative test result concerns the exposure to mycotoxins in the form of a vapor. When a person is exposed to mycotoxins as a vapor or gas, no antibodies are generated. Antibodies are made against spores or plant material, not against the mycotoxin. Accordingly, a test of the blood cannot detect any antibodies that would indicate exposure to molds. In fact, the person may have been exposed to molds, so the test result is a false negative.
Thus, a need exists for an improved method of determining human exposure to trichothecene mycotoxins and to mycotoxicosis.
References
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Casarett and Doull's Toxicology, The Basic Science of Poisons, 5
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Casarett and Doull's. Toxicology, The Basic Science of Poisons, McGraw-Hill, page 17-18 (1966)
Constantini A. V., Heinrick Weiland, and Lars I. Qvick: Fungalbionic Series, The Fungal/Mycotoxin Etiology of Human Disease, Etiology and Prevention of Prostate Cancer Hope at Last, Pub: Johan Friedrick Oberlin Verlag, Freiburg, Germany, (1998).
Costantini A. V., Heinrick Weiland, and Lars I. Qvick: Fungalbionic Series, The Fungal/Mycotoxin Etiology of Human Disease, Etiology and Prevention of Prostate Cancer Hope at Last, Pub: Johan Friedrick Oberlin Verlag, Freiburg, Germany, (1999)
Croft, W. A., B. B., Jarvis and C. S. Yatawara: Airborne Outbreak of Trichothecene Toxicosis, Atmospheric Environment 20(3) , 549-552 (1986)
Cheville N. E.: Cell Pathology, The Iowa State University Press/Ames, page 3 (1976)
Edwards, W. C.: The diagnosis of petroleum hydrocarbon poisoning in cattle, Vet Med & Small Animal Clinician, 74 1516-1518 (1979).
Higuchi, S., T., Muramatsu, M., Satto, M., Sasao, K., Maruyama, and H., Kono: Ethanol Patch Test for Low Km Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Deficiency, The Lancet, March 14, 629 (1987).
Joffe A. Z.: Alimentary Toxic Aleukia. In Microbial Toxins, Vol. VII, edited by Kadis S., Ciegler A. and Ail S. J., page 139-189. Academic Press, Inc., New York (1971).
Johanning, E.: Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control, Eds. : Eastern New York Occupational and Environmental Health Center, Albany, New York (1999).
Pathre, S. V., and C. J. Mirocha: Assay methods for trichothecenes and review of their natural occurrence. In: Mycotoxins in Human and Animal Health. Eds.: Rodricks J. V., C. W. Hesseltine, and M. A. Mehlman, Pathotox Publishers, Park Forest South, Ill. Page 229-253 (1977).
Peters, Henry A., W. A. Croft, E. A. Woolson, B. A. Darcey, and M. A. Olson: Seasonal Arsenic Exposure From Burning Chrolnium-Copper-Arsonate-Treated Wood. JAMA 251 2393-2396 (1984)
Robison, T. S., C. J. Mirocha, H. J. Kurtz, J. C. Behrens, G. A. Weaver, and M. S. Chi: Distribution of tritium-labeled T-2 toxin into in swine. J. Agric. Food Chem. 27:1411-1413 (1979).
Sato, N., Y., Ueno: Comparative Toxicities of Trichothecenes, In: Mycotoxins in Human and Animal Health, Eds.: Rodricks J. V., C. W. Hesseltine, and M. A. Mehlman, Pathotox Publishers, Inc. page 295-397 (1977).
Talmage, D. W., Protection Against Trichothecene Mycotoxins, Committee on Protection Against Mycotoxins, Board on Toxicology and Environmental Health Hazards, Commission on Life Sciences, and National Research Council, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. page, 128-129 (1983).
Ueno Y., Trichothecenes: overview address. In: Mycotoxins in Human and Animal Health, Eds.: Rodricks J., Hesseltine C. W. and Hehlman M. A., page 189-207. Pathotox, Inc., Park Forest South, Ill. (1977).
Ueno Y. : Trichothecene mycotoxins-mycology, chemistry, and toxicology. Adv. Nutr. Sci. 3, 301-353 (1980).
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Umbreit, W. W., Modern Microbiology, The Basic Tools of Microbiology, page 30, 1962.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a method for confirming human and animal exposure to toxic molds, or to the disease of mycotoxicosis, is provided that is both reliable and simple. This is accomplis
Cayen Donald
Cole Monique T.
Warden Jill
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