Understanding Actinobacteria in CIRS
Actinobacteria are an often-overlooked environmental trigger in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). For many patients, Actinobacteria exposure may still be driving immune dysregulation. All too often I see that even when someone is working with a Shoemaker/CIRS aware provider they still have not addressed actino’s.
Understanding what they are, how they are tested for, and how they affect the body is essential for creating a safe environment and achieving recovery.
Understanding what they are, how they are tested for, and how they affect the body is essential for creating a safe environment and achieving recovery.
Actinobacteria are gram-positive, filamentous bacteria commonly found in soil, water-damaged buildings, and on human skin. Many species produce potent secondary metabolites and biotoxins similar to mold mycotoxins.
Actinobacteria—particularly Human Habitat (HH) species such as propionibacterium acnes (PA) and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum (CT) have been identified as major contributors to CIRS-related immune dysregulation. Around 42% of CIRS patients show primary immune reactivity to Actinobacteria.
These bacteria can cause specific gene expression changes, such as elevations in MAPK and TGFb1.
These bacteria can cause specific gene expression changes, such as elevations in MAPK and TGFb1.
Research indicates that approximately 42% of individuals with CIRS show signatures indicating actinobacteria exposure and immune activation.
The EnviroBiomics Actino Dust Test uses Next-Generation Sequencing (16S metagenomics) on dust samples to identify and quantify Actinobacteria, including the 40 main species linked with Building-Related Illness (BRI).
Key measures from EnviroBiomics include:
Key measures from EnviroBiomics include:
- Actino Score – Overall burden: ≤9 = healthy; 10–15 = caution; >15 = unhealthy.
- Dominance Index (DI) – Ratio of HH species to SH (soil) species; DI > 2.0 suggests risk.
- Prevalence Index (PI) – Ratio of bacterial equivalents (BE) of top HH vs. SH species; PI > 2.0 suggests risk.
Actinobacteria such as P.Acnes can harbor deep within the sebaceous glands, where they are protected from normal cleansing and immune surveillance. In CIRS patients, these bacteria can act as a chronic source of immune activation, triggering the innate immune response even after environmental exposure has ended.
Testing is done using a sterile swab of the skin surface behind the ear and sending the sample to a laboratory that performs 16S rRNA sequencing (such as EnviroBiomics) to identify and quantify Human Habitat (HH) species. If found in significant amounts, this can indicate colonization that may require targeted treatment (actino skin protocol) alongside environmental cleanup.
Testing is done using a sterile swab of the skin surface behind the ear and sending the sample to a laboratory that performs 16S rRNA sequencing (such as EnviroBiomics) to identify and quantify Human Habitat (HH) species. If found in significant amounts, this can indicate colonization that may require targeted treatment (actino skin protocol) alongside environmental cleanup.
Actinobacteria can drive inflammation even without mold present. They often form biofilms and persist in indoor environments, especially bedrooms. Standard ERMI testing may miss them.
Elevated DI or PI scores provide strong evidence that Actinobacteria are contributing to immune dysregulation. Addressing exposure can lead to biomarker normalization and symptom improvement.
Elevated DI or PI scores provide strong evidence that Actinobacteria are contributing to immune dysregulation. Addressing exposure can lead to biomarker normalization and symptom improvement.
Actinobacteria are a major but frequently missed trigger in CIRS, affecting roughly 42% of patients. Testing with EnviroBiomics’ Actino Dust Test and monitoring DI/PI indices ensures that both mold and bacterial triggers are addressed, giving the immune system the best chance to reset and heal.
Links:
Actinobacteria Dust Test
Actinobacteria Skin Test
Links:
Actinobacteria Dust Test
Actinobacteria Skin Test
