Possible Role of Fungal Hemolysins in Sick Building Syndrome

Many fungi produce proteinaceous hemolytic agents. Like bacterial hemolysins, fungal hemolysins create pores or holes in membranes. Depending on which membranes are damaged, fungal hemolysins can produce a variety of effects. Fungal hemolysins can cause histamine release from mast cells and/or induce cytokine release from human or animal cells. These responses may result in some of the flu- or cold-like syptoms associated with sick building syndrome (SBS). Fungal hemolysins, like bacterial hemolysins, can also damage vascular tissues and thus cause some SBS symptoms like headache, dizziness and bleeding. The source of fungal hemolysins may be the colonization of the airway, especially nasopharynx, by indoor fungi and not simply from the inhaled spores. Measurements of fungal hemolysins in serum or other bodily fluid should prove useful in diagnosing SBS.