Global Indoor Health Network
Marinkovich
Vincent Marinkovich M.D.
Dr. Vincent Marinkovich specialized in diagnosing and treating mysterious ailments caused by household molds.
Dr. Marinkovich was a 1955 graduate of California Institute of Technology and a 1959 graduate of Harvard Medical School. He taught at Cal Tech and at Stanford Medical School before opening a private practice in Palo Alto and other locations in 1973.
In 1976, Dr. Marinkovich developed the MAST allergy blood test (Multiple Allergen Simultaneous Test) that detected allergens with the use of cellulose fibers in an enzymatic test chamber.
The MAST Immunodiagnostic Test System was developed to provide a comprehensive, simple means for the in vitro measurement of multiple antigens or antibodies. The MAST system greatly simplifies testing for allergen-specific IgE, while retaining specificity and sensitivity.
In 1999, he founded Immune Tech, a Menlo Park company that offered a mail order home testing kit for allergies. Customers were instructed to prick their fingers and submit blood samples which were analyzed for allergen and mold sensitivities - with results sent directly to the customer.
In a 2004 paper by Dr. Marinkovich, he discussed the effects of mold on the human body and the diagnosis, pathophysiology and therapy/treatment. He also talked about the doctors who refuse to recognize this illness, as follows:
There are other physicians who deny that fungi as encountered in homes or office-type workspaces are capable of causing illness. These physicians generally are not primary caregivers and can dismiss the patient’s complaints because of their apparent complexity without a consequence. They are better designated as theorists who base their negativity on arguments that the lack of sufficient evidence-based proof of a causal relationship of fungal exposure to human disease proves that such a relationship is not possible.
Vincent Marinkovich, M.D.
Dr. Marinkovich was a dedicated Redwood City immunologist nationally known as "Dr. Mold" because of his extensive knowledge of illnesses caused by exposure to fungus.
"He was a brilliant, creative, determined and compassionate doctor," said his daughter Nina. "He never gave up on anyone. And he always answered his cell phone."
He enjoyed hiking at Pescadero Beach in San Mateo County and in the Yosemite high country, and he was a student of military history, particularly World War II and the Civil War. He was fond of mysteries, classical music and ballet.
For decades, Dr. Marinkovich specialized in diagnosing and treating mysterious ailments caused by household molds that baffled other doctors. Patients from throughout the United States were referred to him.
He continued his devotion to his patients until he passed away on September 17, 2007.