Development and evaluation of a functional genomics method for the identification and assessment of toxicological potential of fungi

In the United States, the energy conservation act of 1970 resulted in tighter buildings and lower requirements for ventilation. These measures subsequently led to increases in occupant complaints about poor health due to conditions of unsatisfactory indoor air quality. In addition to other causes, several moulds have been consistently implicated in these indoor air quality (IAQ) problems. The exposure to moulds has led to several lawsuits, retraction of some home insurance companies and an exorbitant increase in cost of home insurance. Stachybotrys chartarum, a.k.a. "The toxic mould" has been implicated in IAQ problems, as a potentially toxic mould.;In the scientific community however, the basis of toxicity of Stachybotrys species is still unclear. In addition, the current method of identification is based on morphology of spores and cultures, which poses a problem in timing and accuracy.;In this study, the identity and potential toxicity of 10 members of the genus Stachybotrys, obtained from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine, were assessed by functional genomics method. The small ribosomal DNA sub-unit and the trichodiene synthase gene of these isolates were amplified and sequenced.;The results indicated that some discrepancy may exist in the initial identification of the strains, and that five of the strains have the potential to be toxic. The trichodiene synthase sequences were similar for these four isolates. The sequences also suggest that toxicity among the strains might vary only during expression. The results also show the first record of potential trichothecene toxicity in Stachybotrys albipes.