14 Mycotoxins With Both IgG and IgE Antibody Detection: 28 Results
Each mycotoxin affects the body differently. Some target the brain and nervous system. Others damage the gut, kidneys, liver, or immune system. Many disrupt hormones. Together, these 14 mycotoxins represent the full spectrum of toxins produced by the molds most commonly known to cause illness in exposed individuals.
01
Satratoxin
Stachybotrys (“black mold”)
One of the most potent mycotoxins known. Satratoxin damages olfactory neurons, triggers chronic neuroinflammation, and has been found in lung fluid from infants with pulmonary hemorrhage. Commonly associated with fatigue, headaches, nosebleeds, and persistent cognitive problems.
Primary organs and systems affected: Brain, nervous system, lungs, immune system, skin.
Clinical note: Belongs to the macrocyclic trichothecene family — among the most potent inhibitors of protein synthesis in human cells. [1]
02
Verrucarin & Verrucarol
Fusarium, Aspergillus
Potent protein synthesis inhibitors that disrupt how cells build and repair themselves. Exposure is associated with tremors, widespread inflammation and immune dysregulation. Toxic at nanogram concentrations.
Primary organs and systems affected: Immune system, nervous system, cellular function.
Clinical note: Verrucarins have been specifically identified in Stachybotrys-contaminated indoor environments and in the sera of building occupants. [1]
03
Ochratoxin A & B
Aspergillus, Penicillium
Among the most widespread and dangerous mycotoxins. Nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, and immunotoxic. Classified as a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B). Long-term low-level exposure can be more damaging than a single large dose. Crosses into the placenta and concentrates in breast milk.
Primary organs and systems affected: Kidneys, liver, brain, muscles, fat tissue. Can cross into the placenta.
Clinical note: Nearly 99.8% of ochratoxin binds to albumin in the blood and is reabsorbed from all parts of the nephron, making urinary excretion negligible — the strongest clinical argument for blood serum testing over urine. [2][3]
04
T-2 Toxin
Fusarium
The only mycotoxin ever used as a biological weapon. T-2 toxin crosses the blood-brain barrier, causes oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, and disrupts the gut lining. A potent endocrine disruptor that lowers testosterone in both men and women.
Primary organs and systems affected: Gut, brain, reproductive system, immune system.
Clinical note: Disrupts the cellular redox balance, leading to excessive ROS production that damages lipids, proteins, and DNA. Has been shown to disrupt the integrity of the blood-brain barrier [4][5]
05
Vomitoxin (Deoxynivalenol / DON)
Fusarium
Destroys intestinal barrier function by breaking down the junctions between gut cells — a key driver of leaky gut. Crosses into the brain, directly affects neurons and glial cells, and disrupts estrogen and testosterone balance.
Primary organs and systems affected: Gut, brain, immune system, hormonal system.
Clinical note: DON disrupts the central nervous network, including neuroendocrine and growth hormone signaling. Can raise inflammatory markers by up to 15 times. [6][7]
06
Cladosporium Toxin (HSP 70)
Cladosporium
Cladosporium is one of the most common molds in both indoor and outdoor air. Its spores are a major trigger for asthma and allergies. Beyond respiratory effects, it releases volatile compounds that are toxic to the nervous system, linked to severe headaches, seizures, and excessive sleepiness.
Primary organs and systems affected: Lungs, respiratory system, nervous system.
Clinical note: Cladosporium has been detected in breast cancer tumor mycobiome samples in large-scale cancer research. IgE reactivity to this toxin is particularly relevant for patients with respiratory symptoms. [8]
07
Stachybotrys Trichothecene
Stachybotrys, Myrothecium
A broad class of trichothecene toxins that affect nearly every organ system. They trigger inflammation, dysregulate immunity, and cause vascular fragility and hemorrhage. In the nervous system, they damage the protective myelin coating around nerves. They also disrupt hormones, lowering testosterone and raising estrogen in both men and women.
Primary organs and systems affected: Blood vessels, nervous system, gut, skin, hormonal system.
Clinical note: In a landmark study, trichothecene toxins were detected in the sera of 23 out of 44 individuals living in Stachybotrys-contaminated buildings — compared to only 1 out of 26 from uncontaminated buildings. [1][9]
08
Alternaria Toxin (Alternariol)
Alternaria
Toxic at the cellular level — mutagenic, genotoxic, and dysregulate immune functions. Generates reactive oxygen species that drive chronic inflammation. Also known to reduce testosterone levels.
Primary organs and systems affected: Cells, DNA, immune system, endocrine system.
Clinical note: Directly genotoxic — causes DNA strand breaks and chromosomal mutations. One of several mycotoxins in the panel with documented anti-androgenic effects. [7]
09
Aspergillus Hemolysin
Aspergillus
A hemolytic mycotoxin that destroys red blood cells. Also cytotoxic to key immune cells including neutrophils and macrophages, weakening the body’s front-line defense against infection.
Primary organs and systems affected: Blood cells, immune system.
Clinical note: Aspergillus species have been found enriched in lung cancer tumor mycobiome samples. Broadly dysregulate immune functions through selective destruction of innate immune cells. [8]
10
Sterigmatocystin
Aspergillus versicolor
A precursor to aflatoxin and a recognized carcinogen. Mutagenic, hepatotoxic, and teratogenic — meaning it can cause developmental harm during pregnancy. Linked to autoimmune disease through epigenetic changes in immune signaling.
Primary organs and systems affected: Liver, developing fetus, immune system.
Clinical note: Induces epigenetic dysregulation of immune signaling genes — a mechanism that may explain why some patients develop autoimmune conditions months or years after initial mold exposure. [8]
11
Mycophenolic Acid
Penicillium
A powerful immune dysregulator — so potent that a synthetic version (mycophenolate mofetil / CellCept) is used as an anti-rejection drug for organ transplants. Environmental exposure can broadly weaken the immune system’s ability to fight infection and regulate itself.
Primary organs and systems affected: Immune system.
Clinical note: Inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, blocking lymphocyte proliferation — the same mechanism exploited by the prescription CellCept. [8]
12
Gliotoxin
Aspergillus fumigatus, Trichoderma
One of the most immunotoxic mycotoxins. Kills white blood cells at extremely low concentrations, damages DNA, and compromises blood-brain barrier integrity. Linked to neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis.
Primary organs and systems affected: Immune system, nervous system, DNA.
Clinical note: Active at picomolar concentrations — quantities so small they are nearly undetectable by standard laboratory methods. Induces apoptosis in immune cells, effectively disarming the body’s defenses from the inside. [10]
13
Fumonisin
Fusarium
Toxic to the liver and kidneys, and classified as a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B). Disrupts sphingolipid metabolism in the brain, which has been linked to Parkinson’s disease and depression that does not respond to standard antidepressant medication. Also damages mitochondria.
Primary organs and systems affected: Brain, liver, kidneys, cellular energy systems (mitochondria).
Clinical note: Inhibits ceramide synthase, disrupting a lipid signaling pathway essential for brain function — which may explain why affected patients experience treatment-resistant depression. Associated with neural tube defects in newborns. [4][8]
14
Zearalenone
Fusarium
Produced by Fusarium, zearalenone (ZEA) mimics estrogen in the body. It latches onto estrogen receptors and disrupts the hormonal balance. In women, it lowers the chances of a successful pregnancy and reduces milk production. In young girls, it can trigger early puberty. In men, it reduces testosterone and lowers sperm production. ZEA is classified as a non-steroidal estrogen: it is structurally similar enough to human estrogen to bind estrogen receptors, but its effects are disruptive rather than physiological.
Primary organs and systems affected: Reproductive system, hormonal system, liver, immune system, mitochondria.
Clinical note: Elevated zearalenone has been detected in blood samples from stillborn and malformed neonates. Classified as IARC Group 3. [7][11]
Every mycotoxin tells a different story about what is happening in the body. Our panel tests for all 14 mycotoxins with both IgG and IgE antibodies so nothing gets overlooked.
● Understanding IgG and IgE
Why We Test Both IgG and IgE Antibodies
Most mycotoxin testing measures only one type of immune response. MyMycoLab tests for two: IgG and IgE antibodies against each of the 14 mycotoxins on the panel. This dual approach is what produces 28 individual data points from a single blood draw and provides a more complete clinical picture than either antibody type alone.
Basic Immunology of IgG and IgE antibodies
Microbiology consists of 4 pathogens that cause an immune response:
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Pathogenic fungi (i.e., Aspergillus, Penicillium, etc.)
- Parasites
The immune system will make antibodies to these, and once the infection is over, it will remain in “memory” as an IgG antibody. For example, if you had chicken pox as a child, you would still have antibodies to this virus as an adult. These 4 pathogens are living, and have cell membranes, cell walls, etc.
Toxins are groups of molecules; they are not alive, do not have cell walls, etc. Therefore, the immune system will make antibodies to toxins when they are present in the body. Once the toxins are cleared from the body, the antibodies fade away. This is the difference between microbiology and toxicology.
IgG Antibodies:
Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the predominant immunoglobulin present in human serum. This immunoglobulin constitutes approximately 75% of serum immunoglobulin. IgG is the only immunoglobulin that can cross the human placenta, and it is largely responsible for protecting the newborn during the first months of life. Because of its relative abundance and excellent specificity toward antigens, IgG is the principal antibody used in clinical diagnostics and immunological research.
IgE Antibodies:
Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against molds are often associated with allergies. IgE antibodies to mycotoxins cause mast cells to release histamine, heparin, and inflammatory compounds called cytokines. These cytokines cause inflammation, especially in the brain, gut, and skin, and can trigger mast cell activation. Mast cells are located near blood vessels, nerves, and the lymphatic system.
Many inflammatory diseases involve mast cells, such as arthritis, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and multiple sclerosis.
Mycotoxins also cause immune complex issues leading to inflammation, as well as mitochondrial dysregulation, leading to cell death, endocrine disruption, and others.
Together: The Full Picture Testing for both IgG and IgE antibodies to mycotoxins helps in determining if the exposure is ongoing or from a past exposure.
- If the IgG antibodies to mycotoxins are positive and the IgE are low, this indicates past exposure with colonization.
- If the IgG and IgE antibodies are both positive, this indicates ongoing exposure and the person is living or working in a mold contaminated environment.
- If the IgG and IgE antibodies are both very low, this person’s health is not being affected by mycotoxins.
This is what makes blood serum antibody testing fundamentally different from urine-based screening. It measures your immune system’s response, not traces of toxins passing through your body.
For Patients
Create a patient account, order your test kit, and get results delivered to your secure portal. No doctor's order needed, though we recommend sharing your results with a healthcare provider to guide next steps.
For Practitioners
Register as a clinician to access your provider portal, order test kits to your office or ship directly to patients, and receive results under your account. A step-by-step Clinician Guide is included with your registration.
● References
[1] Brasel TL, Campbell AW, Demers RE, et al. Detection of trichothecene mycotoxins in sera from individuals exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum in indoor environments. Arch Environ Health. 2004;59(6):317-323.
[2] Malir F, Ostry V, Pfohl-Leszkowicz A, et al. Ochratoxin A: 50 Years of Research. Toxins (Basel). 2016;8(7):191.
[3] Campbell AW. Lyme Disease and Mycotoxicosis: How to Differentiate Between the Two. Altern Ther Health Med. 2019;25(4):8-10.
[4] Dai C, Xiao X, Sun F, et al. T-2 toxin neurotoxicity: role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Arch Toxicol. 2019;93(11):3041-3056.
[5] Abia WA, Foupouapouognigal Y, et al. A Scoping Review on Mycotoxin-induced Neurotoxicity. Discover Toxicology. 2024.
[6] Li SJ, Yang CM, Ou S. Impacts of trichothecene mycotoxins on human colonic epithelial cells. J Adv Res. 2025.
[7] Kern EB. (Compiled research notes — mycotoxin endocrine effects, DON neurotoxicity, zearalenone reproductive toxicity.)
[8] Campbell AW, Watson P. Mold, Mycotoxins, and their Effects in Children. Altern Ther Health Med. 2021;27(1):8-10.
[9] Hooper DG, Bolton VE, Guilford FT, Straus DC. Mycotoxin detection in human samples from patients exposed to environmental molds. Int J Mol Sci. 2009;10(4):1465-1475.
[10] Ménard A, Amouri R, Dobránsky T, et al. A gliotoxic factor and multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Sci. 1998;154(2):209-221.
[11] Gromadzka K, Pankiewicz J, et al. The Presence of Mycotoxins in Human Amniotic Fluid. Toxins (Basel). 2021;13(6):409.