Actinomycetes Test Lab Service

The most frequent species of bacteria found in buildings damaged by water are actinomycetes (which include actinomyces and mycobacteria), this is the type of bacteria that produces biotoxins similar to mycotoxin in the mold.

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Actinomycetes

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Quantitative Detection of Actinomycete Microbial Content.

Response time: 7 days Response time

Actino Score Actino Score

 

The most frequent species of bacteria found in buildings damaged by water are actinomycetes (which include actinomyces and mycobacteria), this is the type of bacteria that produces biotoxins similar to mycotoxin in the mold. In general, the biotoxins of bacteria by weight and mass are much more important than, say, mycotoxins. “This test is based on next-generation DNA sequencing, also known as 16S metagenomics. The test is based on the microbial identification of all bacteria in the sample. The Actinomycetes test was developed by selecting the 40 main species of Actinomycetes in the sample to create a score of actinomycetes in a Building Related Illness (BRI) situation.

The species included in the score have been reported in multiple studies that link them to BRI. 

Actino Score: Quantifies Actinomycetes bacteria in relation to a Building Related Illness ( BRI ) and provides safety levels based on a score system.

Score Score Range Interpretation
Q1 9 or below Indicative of a Healthy Building
Q2 Between 10 to 15 Further investigation needed
Q3 Greater than 15 Suggestive of Building-Related Illness
Actino INDEX/ CIRS.

 

As part of our ongoing effort to provide more precision regarding pathogenic actinobacteria, Dr. Shoemaker has developed an Actinobacteria Dominance Index (DI) and a Prevalence Index (PI). Both indices add information to determine if the actinobacteria we identify are of Human Habitat (HH) origin or Soil Habitat(SH) origin. The higher the index, 2.0 for Prevalence and 2.0 for Dominance, the greater the likelihood of exposure to HH derived actinobacteria as opposed to SH derived actinobacteria.

The increased exposure to HH organisms has been correlated independently with increased immune dysregulation noted on GENIE that are distinct for dominance compared to prevalence.

Together, the immune biomarkers seen on GENIE give rise to specific immuno-reactivity for causation for patients exposed to HH actinobacteria, but, to date, not for SH organisms. If both MAPK and TGFBR are elevated; and Dominance and Prevalence indices are elevated, there will likely be serious adverse human health concerns as shown by research performed by Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker et.al.

 

Actino-Index: How safe the building is for CIRS affected individuals?

  • Dominance Index (D.I) Lower than 2.0 Likely safe for CIRS
  • Dominance Index (D.I) Higher than 2.0 Likely not safe for CIRS
  • Prevalence Index (P.I) Lower than 2.0 Likely safe for CIRS
  • Prevalence Index (P.I) Higher than 2.0 Likely not safe for CIRS

 

Actino Report.

 

This report comprises three technical sections, and each section needs careful examination ideally by an environmental professional or a trained physician.

1. Actino-Score. Quantifies Actinomycetes bacteria in relation to a Building Related Illness ( BRI ) and provides safety levels based on a score system.

  • 10 or below indicative of healthy building
  • Between 11-15 further investigation may be needed
  • Greater than 15 Suggestive of Building Related Illness

2. Actino-Index. How safe the building is for CIRS affected individuals?

  • Dominance Index (D.I) Lower than 2.0 Likely safe for CIRS
  • Dominance Index (D.I) Higher than 2.0 Likely not safe for CIRS
  • Prevalence Index (P.I) Lower than 2.0 Likely safe for CIRS
  • Prevalence Index (P.I) Higher than 2.0 Likely not safe for CIRS

3. Tables with detected bacteria species:

This section may provide important information about other bacteria species in the sample and provides normal level that help with the interpretation, please notice the asterisk next bacteria levels BE/mg. Streptomyces, Pseudomonas, Enterobacteria, and Cyanobacteria in particular, all of them are important for a healthy indoor environment.

(*) 100-folds higher than normal

(**) 1,000-fold higher than normal

 

Actino PDF