qPCR
(Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction)
ERMI, HERTSMI-2, and Fungi-Ten Assay can be tested on dust samples with two alternative collection methods:
- Vacuum Sampling kit to collect dust from a carpet area (900 x 1800 mm) from occupants rooms like living room and bedroom.
- Dust Cloth Sampling Kit (Swiffer®) to collect dust from rooms without carpet, using areas like tops of interior door frames, moldings, entertainment centers, shelves, dressers, nightstands, and HVAC return vents.
To compare molds detected in ERMI, HERTSMI-2, and FUNGITEN visit LISBT_List of Molds
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed the Environmental Relative Moldiness index known as the ERMI test to determine the molds’ situation in homes and buildings.
Identifies The test analyzes the settled dust collected from interested areas, in homes and buildings, where airborne fungal spores are contained. The fungal DNA is extracted from dust to identify and quantify through mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR) identifies 36 different molds and calculates an index number to compare with a database of reference homes. Reference ERMI indexes were determined using dust samples collected from the bedroom and living room of 1096 homes across the U.S. as part of the 2006 HUD American Healthy Home Survey.
The 36 molds analyzed are separated into two groups: Water Damage Molds: Group 1 (G1) and Common Indoor Molds: Group 2 (G2), listed below:
Group #1 Water Damage Molds:
| Group #2 Common Indoor Molds:
|
To calculate the ERMI score the individual concentrations of each mold detected by qPCR are log-transformed, and then the sum of G2-logs is subtracted from the sum of G1-logs.
ERMI = ∑ G2-logs – ∑ G1-log
ERMI score reflects the potential risk of indoor mold growth and associated health effects to homes/buildings occupants. Score are presented from 1 to 4, and homes with:
- ERMI level 4 (Score between 5 to 20)→ have the greatest likelihood of having mold problems or High Relative Moldiness. Score > 20 present represents Very High Relative Moldiness.
- ERMI level 3 (Between 0 to 5) → are more likely to have a mold problem or Medium to High Relative Moldiness
- ERMI level 2 (Between -4 to 0) → are less likely of having a mold problem and homes or Low to Medium Relative Moldiness.
- ERMI Level 1 (Between -10 to -4) → are least likely. to have a mold problem or Low Relative Moldiness.
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HERTSMI-2 (Health Effects Roster of Type-Specific Formers of Mycotoxins and Inflammagens – 2nd version) is a mold-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (MSQPCR) technique. It has been designed to detect 5 mold species associated with damp buildings that make people susceptible suffering from Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome or CIRS. HERTSMI-2 is an inexpensive, reproducible, reliable, and predictable way to survey information about mold associated re-exposure from water damaged interior, houses and buildings, ensuring the environmental salubrity for the occupants.
This service is highly recommended to people that has been suffered CIRS.
The fungal DNA is extracted from dust aimed to evaluate the presence by MSQPCR of 5 mold species:
- Aspergillus Penicilloides
- Aspergillus Versicolor
- Chaetomium Globosum
- Stachybotrys Chartarum
- Wallemia Sebi.
A point system is used correlated with the amount of spore per mg of dust (SE/mg), 0, 4, 6, or 10 points are assigned to each of the mold species, depending on the SE/mg found for each one. The point range listed below:
10 points are assigned for: | Units are in Spore E./mg |
Aspergillus penicilloides | >500 |
Aspergillus versicolor | >500 |
Chaetomium globosum | >125 |
Stachybotrys chartarum | >125 |
Wallemia sebi | >2500 |
6 points are assigned for: | Units are in Spore E./mg |
Aspergillus penicilloides | 100-499 |
Aspergillus versicolor | 100-499 |
Chaetomium globosum | 25-124 |
Stachybotrys chartarum | 25-124 |
Wallemia sebi | 500-2499 |
4 points are assigned for: | Units are in Spore E./mg |
Aspergillus penicilloides | 10-99 |
Aspergillus versicolor | 10-99 |
Chaetomium globosum | 5-24 |
Stachybotrys chartarum | 5-24 |
Wallemia sebi | 100-499 |
Reference Guidance for interpretation of HERTSMI-2 Score:
<11 Statistically safe for re-entry for those with CIRS.
11-15 Borderline; Clean first and then re-test before re-entry.
>15 Dangerous for those with CIRS. Do not enter.
A HERTSMI-2 score <10 is indicative that the building is safe for re-occupancy.
Reference: https://www.survivingmold.com/resources-for-patients/diagnosis/hertsmi-2
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Fungiten is a quantitative PCR (qPCR) technique designed to detect and evaluate the relative abundance of 10 widespread and toxigenic molds in our environment. The molds considered in this assay are frequently found in water damaged interiors, houses, and buildings. These molds produce toxins, called mycotoxins, that have been related to causing adverse health effects ranging from acute poisoning to long-term effects such as chronic respiratory problems, immune deficiency, and cancer. The Fungi-Ten test is focused on providing meaningful environmental information for clinical use.
Below the list of the 10 molds tested:
ORGANISM | MYCOTOXIN |
Aspergillus flavus | Aflatoxin |
Aspergillus fumigatus | Gliotoxin |
Aspergillus niger | Ochratoxin |
Aspergillus ochraceus | Ochratoxin |
Aspergillus penicillioides (*) | – |
Aspergillus versicolor (*) | Sterigmatocystin |
Chaetomium globosum (*) | Chaetoglobosin |
Penicillium brevicompactum (*) | Mycophenolic Acid |
Stachybotrys chartarum (*) | Macrocyclic Trichothecene |
Wallemia sebi (*) | Walleminol A |
(*) mold associated with water damage to calculate the HERTSMI-2 score.