Biotoxin Illness: the basics

Biotoxin illness generally occurs when: 1) a person is exposed to a biotoxin; and, 2) has a genetic predisposition or susceptibility. When those two things come together a process of chronic inflammation is set in motion. The basic dynamic of the illness can be summed up simply: exposure to biotoxins plus genetic susceptibility triggers inflammation that results in illness. In addition, and this is extremely important to know: biotoxins directly affect and impair nerve and cell function. Moreover, a sustained or massive exposure to biotoxins may cause illness in people who do not otherwise have a genetic susceptibility.

EXPOSURE + GENETICS = INFLAMMATION = ILLNESS

Exposure

As its name suggests, a biotoxin is a toxin produced by a living organism. People can acquire biotoxins from food, water, air, or insects such as spiders and ticks, and indoor environments. Many types of bacteria produce biotoxins including borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, and cyanobacteria found in blue-green algal blooms. Exposure to mold is by far the most common cause of biotoxin illness. People are exposed to mold (and toxic mold spores) when they live, work or spend any time in a building that has been water damaged. Mold is often invisible. It can be found inside walls, in basements and attics, and in HVAC systems. Mold is a common problem in homes that have a crawlspace with exposed dirt.

Genetics

Genes are like the operating system for a computer; they contain all of the instructions necessary for our bodies to function properly. When there’s a problem with our genetic code there will usually be a corresponding problem somewhere in our body. Think of it as a type of programming error in which the genetic code causes a system malfunction. In the case of biotoxin illness, the genetic problem is found in a certain group of genes known as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes. The HLA system contains a large number of genes that regulate immunity in humans. HLA regulation specifically relates to the body’s innate immune system and plays a key role in the body’s ability to identify and get rid of foreign molecules (antigens), including biotoxins. There are different configurations of HLA genes, which are referred to as HLA haplotypes. It turns out that 25% of all people have a HLA haplotype that makes us susceptible to biotoxin illness. When those of us with genetic susceptibility are exposed to a biotoxin our innate immune system, which is regulated by the HLA haplotype, cannot properly identify and get rid of the toxin. 

Immune system dysfunction

Antigen detection and presentation – the process by which the innate immune system identifies a foreign molecule and then presents that molecule to the adaptive immune system – is complex. But what’s important to know is that when the innate immune system can’t properly detect and present foreign molecules to the adaptive immune system, the adaptive immune system isn’t able to make antibodies. Without antibodies we have no way to eliminate the foreign molecule (antigen), or biotoxin. The genetic foundation of this immune system failure is the basic mechanism underlying biotoxin illness. HLA genes (HLA haplotype) cause a malfunction in the immune system which then cannot do its job. It’s as if the innate immune system has a faulty program operating system. 

Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation is the body’s first line of defense when it identifies any type of antigen including bacteria, viruses and biotoxins. In a normal healthy immune response the body regulates inflammation until the threat is gone and then the inflammation response stops. In biotoxin illness the body’s inflammatory response doesn’t get shut off. Because of immune system dysfunction – faulty antigen detection and presentation – biotoxins continue to circulate through the body causing ever-increasing inflammation. Under this onslaught, the body’s ability to regulate inflammation is quickly overwhelmed. Chronic inflammation causes damage to multiple systems in the body resulting in a complex, multi-system, multi-symptom illness. See: survivingmold.com/diagnosis/the-biotoxin-pathway

Illness

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker provides an excellent overview of the illness on his website which includes a list of common symptoms and a 90-minute video. See: survivingmold.com/diagnosis

Resources:

• Surviving Mold: Life in the Era of Dangerous Buildings, Ritchie C. Shoemaker, M.D., 2010
• Mold Warriors: Fighting America’s Hidden Health Threat, Ritchie C. Shoemaker, M.D., 2005
• Desperation Medicine, Ritchie C. Shoemaker, M.D., 2001
• survivingmold.com 
• chronicneurotoxins.com

Disclaimer: This article is a simplification of complex biological and chemical processes. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice; I am a patient doing patient education. Readers are encouraged to educate themselves and if necessary to consult a medical doctor familiar with biotoxin illness.