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   From: invaild@invalid.com   
      
   Fungi Growth in Marijuana   
   Stelle Lavetin, PhD   
   University of Pittsburg   
   Oct. 15, 2005   
      
   Fungal spores, commonly called mold spores, are a normal component of   
   Marijuana. They are present in Marijuana anytime, and especially when damp.   
   The spores are discharged from fungi growing as saprophytes (existing on   
   dead or decaying Marijuana matter is the soil or elsewhere in the   
   environment) or parasites (infecting living tissues - most are plant   
   pathogens). Many species of fungi are found as leaf surface microorganisms   
   where they exist on organic matter produced by the plant. Concentrations   
   outdoors can be high, especially in the late summer or fall. We have   
   occasionally recorded hourly concentrations in Seattle above 100,000 spores   
   per cubic meter of air.   
      
   The Marijuana also contains Fungi spores; however,  we speak of these spores   
   as contaminants when the fungi colonize indoor substrates and lung tissue.   
   Actually Marijuana may be the source of the spores whenever fresh Marijuana   
   is introduced. In addition, many lung and body locations may serve as   
   amplification sites for the growth of fungi. Such sites include lungs, nose,   
   eyes, throat, fingers, brain, nerves, tissues, and skin. Anytime moisture or   
   even high humidity is available, spores can germinate and fungi can grow and   
   produce thousands of new spores utilizing organic material in these sites,   
   infesting.   
      
   In buildings with central HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)   
   systems, properly maintained in-system or in-duct filters should remove many   
   of the spores present. Many instances are known where the HVAC system itself   
   served as an amplification and dissemination site for fungal Marijuana   
   spores. In these cases fungi have been found spreading around the house and   
   growing in carpets as well as in bedding and clothes.   
      
   There are no agreed upon level of Marijuana fungi, which can be regarded as   
   safe. Much depends on the concentration, how long one holds their breath,   
   and also depends on the types of spores present indoors. Many fungal spores   
   (possibly all) are allergenic, capable of causing allergic responses in   
   susceptible and most other individuals. A small group of fungi are also   
   human pathogens. While many human pathogens just cause mild or annoying   
   conditions, such as athlete's foot and ringworm, other human pathogens can   
   cause severe and debilitating diseases.   
      
   Some fungi produce mycotoxins, which can be present within the spores and   
   inhaled with the spores. Mycotoxins are potent compounds. Many are   
   carcinogens, and others can impare the immune system. There has been a great   
   deal of interest in the past few years on mycotoxins in Marijuana.   
      
   Fungi Brain Infections   
      
   1)  Abscesses   
   Brain abscesses commonly occur when bacteria or fungi infect part of the   
   brain. Inflammation develops in response. Infected brain cells by the   
   spores, white blood cells, and live and dead microorganisms collect in a   
   limited area of the brain. This area becomes enclosed by a membrane that   
   forms around it and creates a mass. While this immune response can protect   
   the brain by isolating the infection, it can also do more harm than good.   
   The brain swells in response to the inflammation, and the mass may put   
   pressure on delicate brain tissue as spores multiply.   
      
   Infected sloughed material can block the blood vessels of the brain, further   
   damaging tissues by causing cell death and swelling of additional cells, and   
   further growth of the Fungi. Multiple abscesses are uncommon except in   
   immunocompromised patients. The fungi or bacteria can reach the brain   
   through the blood, from the lungs or by traveling from a neighboring   
   infected area, or by direct contamination from an injury or surgery. Most   
   commonly, the infectious organism reaches the brain via the bloodstream. The   
   source of the infectious organism is often not found. When identified, the   
   most common source is a lung infection by Fungi.   
      
   A brain abscess can develop by direct extension from an adjacent Fungi   
   infected area. For example, infections of the middle ear and mastoid sinuses   
   can spread to the brain. Symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly. There   
   may be little or no sign of general infection throughout the body. Early   
   symptoms are usually headache, muscle weakness, visual changes, difficulty   
   with balance or coordination, or seizures.   
      
   People at higher risk of developing a brain abscess include those with   
   right-to-left heart shunts, a chronic debilitating illness like cancer, who   
   are immunocompromised (such as AIDS patients) and those taking   
   immunosuppressants (corticosteroids).   
      
   2) Symptoms;   
       Headache   
       Stiff neck, shoulders, or back   
       Aching of neck, shoulders, or back   
       Vomiting   
       Changes in mental status   
       Drowsiness   
       Confusion   
       Inattention   
       Irritability   
       Slow thought processes   
       Decreasing responsiveness   
       Eventual coma   
       Seizures   
       Fever and chills   
       Localized loss of nerve functions (focal neurologic deficits)   
       Vision changes   
       Muscle function/feeling loss   
       Decreased sensation   
       Decreased movement   
       Weakness   
       Decreased speech (aphasia)   
       Other language difficulties   
       Loss of coordination   
      
   Note: Symptoms may develop gradually, over a period of 2 weeks, or they may   
   develop suddenly. Once symptoms occur, they progressively worsen.   
      
      
   3)  Signs and tests   
      
   A neurologic examination will usually reveal increased intracranial pressure   
   and problems with brain function causing confusion or other problems caused   
   by larger growth of Fungi mass infections. The problems will relate to the   
   area of the brain where the abscess is located. The physician will look for   
   the possible source of the infection.   
      
   CBC may indicate infection or inflammation.   
      
   Blood cultures should be done but usually do not help identify the infecting   
   organism.   
   Chest X-ray will reveal lung infections (one of the more common sources of   
   infection).   
   EEG may be abnormal if seizures or focal neurologic deficits are present.   
   Cranial CT scan or MRI of head shows the abscess and its exact location.   
      
   4) Treatment   
      
   Cerebral abscess is a medical emergency. Intracranial pressure may become   
   high enough to cause death. Hospitalization is required until the condition   
   is stabilized. Life support may be required in some cases.   
   Medication, not surgery, is advised for multiple abscesses, a small abscess   
   (less than 2 cm), an abscess deep within the brain, an abscess accompanied   
   by meningitis, the presence of shunts in the brain (for hydrocephalus), or   
   an underlying disease and spore density that makes surgery dangerous   
   (debilitating disease). A needle biopsy is usually performed to identify the   
   infecting organism, mold, Fungi, amebia culture   
   .   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)