DNA Mold Diagnostics and Testing

ERMI Analysis

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 17:32

The new standard in mold testing. The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) is a Quantitative, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) panel of testing for indoor molds that was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA). This panel includes 26 mold species and groups of species that are known to thrive in water damaged homes. This panel also includes 10 species and groups of species of molds that are found in all homes, with or without water damage. Each species and group of species is enumerated from DNA extracted from dust samples taken from both the living and sleeping quarters of the home. Concentrations of each of the 36 molds are used to derive an “ERMI score” that rates the moldiness of each sample against those tested by the US-EPA. These values range from approximately –10 (low moldiness) to 20 (high moldiness).

ERMI License #

Best Uses

ERMI Analysis provides more information than any other mold test. ERMI is ideal for buildings with health concerns, legal issues, and detection of hidden mold problems. It is used in homes, offices, schools, and other buildings, public and private.

Key ERMI Facts

99.99% Accurate
Species Identification of 36 Types of Mold
Detects the Presence of a Single Spore
Requires No Outdoor Control Sample
Results Are Comparable to National Averages
Requires Only 1 Sample Per Building
Rapidly Differentiates Between Aspergillus and Penicillium
Most Likely Test to Find Hidden Issues
Provides Historical Perspective Other Tests Cannot
Results are Extremely Easy to Understand

Sample Collection

Requires a standard vacuum cleaner, preferably with a HEPA filter. Sample requires 5mg of dust and is typically collected by vacuuming a 6'x3' area in both a living room and the master bedroom. If no sufficient carpeting exists a sample can be collected by gather dust from low-traffic areas such as picture frames, desks, etc.

Included Species

Aspergillus fumigatus, Neosartorya fischen
Aspergillus ochraceus / ostianus
Aspergillus restrictus / caesillus / conicus
Aspergillus sclerotiorum
Aspergillus unguis
Aspergillus versicolor
Aspergillus penicillioides
Cladosporium sphaerospermum
Eurotium (Aspergillus) amstelodami / chevalieri / herbariorum / rubrum / repens
Penicillium purpurogenum
Stachybotrys chartarum
Aspergillus flavus / oryzae
Aspergillus niger / awamori / foetidus / phoenicis
Aspergillus sydowii
Aureobasidium pullalans
Chaetomium globosum
Paecilomyces variotii
Penicillium brevicompactum / stoloniferum
Penicillium corylophilum
Penicillium crustosum / camembertii / commune / echinulatum / solitum
Penicillium glabrum / lividum / purpurescens / spinulosum / thomii
Penicillium variable
Scopulariopsis brevicaulis / fusca
Scopulariopsis chartarum
Trichoderma viride / atroviride / koningii
Wallemia sebi
Acremonium strictum
Alternaria alternata
Cladosporium cladosporioides svar. 1
Cladosporium cladosporioides svar. 2
Cladosporium herbarum
Aspergills ustus
Epicoccum nigrum
Mucor amphibiorum / circinelloides / hiemalis / indicus / mucedo / racemosus / ramosissimus and Rhizopus azygosporus / homothalicus / microsporus / oligosporus / oryzae
Penicillium chrysogenum
Rhizopus stolonifer

Pricing

$195.00 per analysis for professionals. Call for volume pricing.
$10.00 per ERMI Dust Collector.

Other MSQPCR Analysis

Written by Administrator

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 17:34

For custom MSQPCR panels, contact the lab.

Survey of Indoor Molds (SIM) - $195

The Survey of Indoor Molds (SIM) is a collection of assays employing Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MSQPCR) technology that was developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The SIM is a panel designed by AssuredBio to appeal to industrial hygienists and other highly trained and experienced individuals. As opposed to emphasizing a generalized score, the SIM emphasizes individual species quantification because they will be used by the hygienist in forming recommendations and strategies for remediation. Most species of fungi occurring indoors are found worldwide in soils, rendering them useful indicators of indoor conditions in any location. Additionally, mycoses (fungal infections) have been documented for some of the species in both healthy and immunocompromised people.

Aspergillus Assessment Panel (AAP) - $145

The genus Aspergillus contains over 185 species to which humans are constantly exposed in dust, decomposing organic matter, water and indoor air. Aspergillus species linked to mycoses include A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger, A. nidulans, A. terreus, A. oryzae, A. ustus and A. versicolor. Aspergilli can be primary (capable of infecting healthy individuals) or opportunistic (causing infection in immunocompromised patients) pathogens. Infections can be nosocomial (hospital derived) or can result from inhalation of spores. Most cases of primary deep mycoses are asymptomatic or clinically mild infections occurring in normal patients living or traveling in endemic areas. However, patients exposed to a high numbers of organisms or those with weakened immune response may suffer life-threatening progression or reactivation of latent infections.

AssuredBio developed the Aspergillosis Assessment Panel (AAP) panel to provide investigators with the most thorough DNA-based assessment of the species that belong to the genus Aspergillus. Twelve species of Aspergillus are included in the AAPTM. A detailed description is provided for each species.

Pathogenic Fungus Panel (PFP)- $145

Mycoses are infections caused by fungi and have been found in/on the brain, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and skin. Primary fungal pathogens can establish infections in normal hosts, whereas opportunistic fungal pathogens can cause disease in individuals with compromised immune mechanisms. Infectious fungi may be either inside (endogenous) or outside (exogenous) of the body. Routes of entry for exogenous fungi include airborne spores and mold on surfaces. Endogenous infections are caused by fungi that are part of the body’s normal flora or by reactivation of a dormant infectious fungus residing in an old infection site. Invasive mycoses are difficult to diagnose and treat, resulting in a high mortality rate among affected patients.

The Pathogenic Fungus Panel (PFP) is a panel that was developed by AssuredBio under the guidance of Dr. Wiley Schell, a well known Medical Mycologist at Duke University Medical Center in Raleigh, NC. The panel contains a group of 12 molds that are known to cause disease in humans. Furthermore, the molds in the panel are separated into 5 groups based on medical significance. A detailed medical description of each mold target is provided.