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Fungal Infection Almost Sidelines UCLA Football Player

LA Testing offers environmental fungal testing services to identify fungal pathogens and indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminants.


WEBWIRE

Garden Grove, CA, September 18, 2013

Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Times published a report about one of UCLA’s cornerbacks and his recent battle with aspergillosis. Aspergillosis is a fungal infection caused by a common fungus known as Aspergillus. According to the article, the player spent more than a month in a hospital fighting the infection. His weight dropped down to 130 pounds, but after successfully battling the infection is now back up to 175 pounds.

There are several different kinds of aspergillosis. One kind is allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (also called ABPA), a condition where the fungus causes allergic respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, but does not actually invade and destroy tissue. Another kind is invasive aspergillosis, a disease that usually affects people with immune system problems. In this condition, the fungus invades and damages tissues in the body. Invasive aspergillosis most commonly affects the lungs, but can also cause infection in many other organs and can spread throughout the body.

Aspergillus is commonly found in the environment and can be found in soils, on plants and in decaying plant matter. It is also found in household dust, building materials, and even in spices and some food items. Aspergillus mold is also frequently found in homes and buildings that have suffered water damage and subsequent mold growth.

“Although most people are exposed to Aspergillus spores quite frequently, on rare occasions otherwise healthy individuals may come down with aspergillosis,” stated Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Garden Grove facility. “Typically, those who are most susceptible to this type of infection have some type of underlying immuno-compromised condition. Buildings such as healthcare facilities, with people that have weakened immune systems, need to be especially vigilant of this dangerous pathogen. LA Testing offers testing services to identify Aspergillus and other fungal pathogens from indoor environments.”

LA Testing has sponsored an educational video about Aspergillus and aspergillosis that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/_de4qZpwP8Q

To learn more about testing for fungal pathogens or other indoor air quality issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. 

About LA Testing and EMSL Analytical, Inc.
LA Testing and EMSL Analytical are providers of environmental testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The companies have an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies. LA Testing has laboratories throughout California to service commercial clients and government agencies as well as the general public.



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