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Category: Actinomycetes

Testing for Endotoxins and Actinomycetes: The Importance for CIRS Patience

Posted on by Steve Mcleod

Understanding the Benefits of Testing for Actinomycetes and Endotoxins for CIRS-Sensitized People

To effectively address your symptoms and provide a comprehensive evaluation of your environment and health, we recommend testing for both actinomycetes (actino) and endotoxins. These tests are particularly important if you are experiencing crossover symptoms caused by the presence of these contaminants. Here’s why testing for both is crucial:

Identifying Sources of Inflammation

Actinomycetes are gram-positive bacteria that can be pathogenic and cause an immune response. While they do not release endotoxins, their presence can still lead to significant health issues. Testing for both actinomycetes and endotoxins created by gram-negative bacteria provides a comprehensive evaluation of biotoxin health risks, identifying the presence of both types of inflammatory agents.

Comprehensive Environmental Assessment

Testing your home’s dust for both actinomycetes and endotoxins helps us understand the biotoxin contamination level in your environment. This “stacked” assessment allows for targeted remediation strategies to reduce exposure. If no symptoms are evident, current cleaning practices, moisture levels, and humidity may be sufficient. However, if symptoms are present, knowing the types and sources of bacterial contamination is critical for effective remediation.

Benefits of Dual Testing

Holistic Understanding: By testing for both actinomycetes and endotoxins, you gain a comprehensive understanding of your indoor environment. Actinomycetes can exist in drier conditions, while endotoxins are typically found in moist environments. Testing for both provides insight into bacterial health risks across different microclimates.

Targeted Remediation: Knowing specific contaminants allows for targeted remediation. Improving humidity control, ventilation, and cleaning procedures, or employing professional remediation services, ensures the most effective strategies.

Health Risk Mitigation: Identifying both pathogenic and endotoxin inflammatory agents helps mitigate health risks. Understanding contamination extent leads to better health outcomes, especially for individuals with respiratory issues, chronic fatigue, or other CIRS-related symptoms.

Testing for actinomycetes and endotoxins is essential for those sensitized to CIRS, providing a thorough assessment and aiding in the development of effective remediation strategies to improve indoor air quality and health.

Conclusion

Testing for actinomycetes and endotoxins provides a detailed picture of your home’s microbial environment. This dual approach ensures that both dry and moist areas are analyzed, helping you take informed steps to improve your indoor air quality and reduce health risks.

Comparing Human and Environmental Samples

By sampling both your skin and sinuses, along with house dust, we can compare the presence of endotoxins and actinomycetes in your body with those in your environment. This comparison helps us determine if your symptoms are related to your home’s contaminants or if there are other factors at play.

Recommended Locations for Actinomycetes Skin Sampling

According to Dr. Shoemaker and EnviroBiomics, recommended locations for actinomycetes skin sampling include areas with high concentrations of sebaceous glands and oil glands. These areas are prone to harboring actinomycetes due to their moist and oily nature. Specifically, the following locations are ideal for sampling:

  • Face: Especially the forehead, nose, and chin, where sebaceous glands are most active.
  • Scalp: Rich in sebaceous glands, making it a prime area for sampling.
  • Upper Back and Chest: These areas also have a significant number of sebaceous glands, providing useful samples.

These locations are effective for detecting actinomycetes and understanding their presence and impact on your health. For more information, you can refer to Dr. Shoemaker’s detailed explanations on Surviving Mold – Actino Central.

Nasal Pharynx Testing for Actinomycetes

Dr. Shoemaker emphasizes the importance of nasal pharynx testing for actinomycetes as part of diagnosing Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). This type of testing is crucial because actinomycetes can colonize the nasal passages, leading to chronic sinus infections and other inflammatory responses. Nasal cultures help identify pathogenic organisms and their antibiotic resistance patterns, guiding effective treatments to eradicate the infection and reduce inflammation.

Crossover Symptoms of Endotoxins and Actinomycetes

Confusion
Exposure to environmental toxins causing confusion
  • Chronic cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath
  • Persistent fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating
  • Rashes, itching, and skin lesions

Testing Options for Endotoxins and Actinomycetes

Actino Testing:

  • Actino Skin: Tests for 5 toxic species.
  • Actino Nasopharynx: Tests for toxins-producing species in the sinuses.
  • Actino Environmental Dust: Tests for actinomycetes in house dust.

Endotoxin Testing:

  • Endotoxin (LAL) Test: Measures endotoxin levels.

Total Cost for All Four Tests Has a Discounted Consultation Cost.

 

Conclusion

The premise of why we test is to determine if the current level of exposure is below the threshold that triggers an immune response. If not, we can continue to adjust our behaviors and remediation efforts to reach that critical baseline so that recovery and improved health can begin to occur. Testing for endotoxins and actinomycetes, along with sampling your skin and sinuses, provides a comprehensive view of your exposure and helps us develop an effective plan to address your symptoms. This holistic approach ensures that we consider both environmental and biological factors, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Please let us know if you have any questions or need further information.

Sincerely, Steve McLeod

Navigating the World of Fogging – From Remediation to Probiotic Reinforcement

Posted on by Steve Mcleod

In our quest to maintain healthy indoor environments, fogging has emerged as a crucial technology when applied correctly.

This blog explores the application of wet, dry, and electrostatic fogging methods, emphasizing the importance of rebalancing the natural biome of home surfaces and the innovative use of probiotics for ongoing environmental management.

After a thorough investigation and resolution of the home for moisture and mold issues fogging may be an integral part of the final cleaning process to remove particulate matter and disinfect.

 Understanding Home Biomes

Petri plate showing numerous Colony forming units representing multi-colored mold and bacteria.

Every home has a natural biome, a community of microorganisms living on surfaces. This biome can become imbalanced due to the proliferation of mold or pathogenic bacteria. Addressing this imbalance is crucial for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

The Role of Fogging in Deep Cleaning
Fogging is crucial in comprehensive cleaning processes as it facilitates the settling of airborne particles and related substances onto surfaces or air filters, making them accessible for removal. This technique ensures the efficient elimination of these contaminants through later wiping steps.

Wet Fogging

Electrostatic fog
Electrostatic Wet Fogging for disinfection in a school. By Steve McLeod

Wet fogging, especially with an essential oil or glycol-based solutions, is ideal for airborne particulate removal and intensive cleaning. Its larger droplets (10 to 50 micron) ensure better surface coverage and an extended contact time, Due to slower evaporation for the disinfectant to work effectively.

Dry Fogging
Dry fogging, with droplet size of 5 micron or less, often using hydrogen peroxide, is effective against pathogenic bacteria, mycotoxins, endotoxins, and viruses. Its finer droplets reach hard-to-access areas, ensuring comprehensive cleanliness.

Electrostatic Fogging

Electrostatic dry fogging
Electrostatic dry fogging for disinfection.

Electrostatic fogging, adaptable for both wet and dry fogging methods, offers comprehensive and even coverage on all surfaces. This technique excels in thoroughly covering every part of a space, including hard-to-reach corners and crevices, by ensuring the disinfectant is evenly distributed. The key to its effectiveness lies in its electrostatic charge, which enhances the solution’s adherence to surfaces, ensuring a more thorough and lasting application.

Hydrogen Peroxide in Fogging
Hydrogen peroxide is a popular choice in fogging for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. It decomposes into harmless byproducts, making it a safe and environmentally friendly option.

The Role of CS4
CS4, a compound crafted from food-grade alcohol and essential oils, stands out as a superior option for both wet and electrostatic fogging. This is due to its dual capacity for disinfection and transferring airborne particles onto surfaces. A notable aspect of CS4 is its contribution to sustained microbial prevention. Thanks to the essential oils it contains, CS4 extends its protective effects for up to 30 days. Beyond its cleaning capabilities, CS4 plays a vital role in preserving a fresh and pleasant environment after treatment.

Reestablishing a Healthy Biome with Probiotics

Probiotic cleaner
Probiotic cleaner micro clean surfaces for up to 7 days.

Once a surface is clean and disinfected, it’s crucial to promptly reintroduce natural soil-based probiotics. This step is key in creating a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and mold. By doing so, these beneficial probiotics effectively occupy space and resources, making it more challenging for pathogenic microbes or mold to establish themselves.
Using fogging methods with Probiotic enzyme products, like those offered by SCD Probiotics, is an effective natural strategy to reestablish and maintain a healthy biome on surfaces. This approach not only cleans but also safeguards surfaces by promoting a beneficial microbial environment.

After cleaning and disinfecting, it’s beneficial to introduce natural soil-based probiotics to the environment to crowd out the progression of pathogenic bacteria and mold.
Fogging with Probiotic enzyme products like those from SCD Probiotics offer a natural way to establish a healthy biome on surfaces.

These probiotics are effective due to:
• Enzymatic Cleaning: They use enzymatic activity to break down and clean grime.
• Organic Matter Removal: By consuming organic matter, these probiotics help in maintaining cleanliness.
• Pathogen Prevention: They populate surfaces, which helps in deterring harmful bacteria.
This method ensures a thorough, microscopic level of cleanliness, contributing to a healthier living space. The probiotics in SCD’s All-Purpose Cleaning Concentrate are designed to remain active on surfaces for up to a week. Unlike standard cleaners that can quickly become decontaminated, these probiotics provide ongoing protection against resilient bacteria. Plus, there’s no need for rinsing or gloves, thanks to the safe and biodegradable formula.

Probiotics tough on messes but gentle on you
Tough on messes but gentle on people and pets.

Key features include:
• Gentle Yet Effective: Unlike harsh cleaners, this probiotic cleaner is kind to your skin and home.
• Highly Concentrated: One bottle makes 2 gallons or 16 spray bottles of ready-to-use cleaner.
• Naturally Scented: Available in lavender or lemongrass, using only organic essential oils.
• Safe Ingredients: Free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and ammonia.
• Eco-Friendly and Organic: USDA Certified Organic, made in the USA, and microbiome friendly.

Conclusion
The choice between wet, dry, and electrostatic fogging depends on the specific needs of your space and the nature of the remediation required. Following up with natural probiotics is an innovative step towards ensuring long-term environmental health. This holistic approach to indoor environmental management – combining effective cleaning, disinfection, and probiotic reinforcement – represents the forefront of maintaining and enhancing the health of our indoor spaces.