Is there a link between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and mycotoxin exposure?

Brewer, J.H.; Thrasher, J.D.; Straus, D.C.; Madison, R.A.; Hooper, D. Detection of Mycotoxins in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.Toxins2013 no. 4: 605-617.

The abstract and full article are available through the Toxins website.

Past exposure to a water damaged building was correlated to elevated urine concentrations of mycotoxins in the urine of 93% of chronic fatigue syndrome patients (N=104 of 112).  Mycotoxin levels were below detection limits for ochratoxin, aflatoxin, or macrocylic trichothecenes in a control population (n=55) with no history of exposure to a water damaged buildings or moldy environments.

Aspergillus ochraceous - produces ochratoxins

Aspergillus flavus produces Aflatoxins

Stachybotrys spp. can produce macrocylic trichothecenes

In the past, researchers have had difficulty establishing cause and effect with respect to airborne mycotoxin exposure and human health.  This paper shows an association that suggests the need for further study.