Glossary of mold types (continued) |
Chrysosporium sp - Widespread, common in the soil and on plants.
Rare agents of onychomycosis, skin lesions, endocarditis, and uncommon agents
of the pulmonary mycosis adiaspiromycosis. No toxic diseases have been documented
to date.
Cladosporium sp. (Hormodendrum sp.) - Aw (water activity) in the
range of 0.84 to 0.88. Most commonly identified outdoor fungus. The outdoor
numbers are reduced in the winter. The numbers are often high in the summer.
Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoor numbers. It is a common allergen.
Indoor Cladosporium sp. may be different than the species identified outdoors.
It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior
of supply ducts. A wide variety of plants are food sources for this fungus.
It is found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles.
It can cause mycosis. Produces greater than 10 antigens. Antigens in commercial
extracts are of variable quality and may degrade within weeks of preparation.
Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I).
Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop
pulmonary emphysema.
Curvularia sp. - Reported to be allergenic. It may cause corneal
infections, mycetoma and infections in immune compromised hosts.
Dreschlera sp - Conidia (spores) dimensions 40-120 x 17-28 microns.
Found on grasses, grains and decaying food. It can occasionally cause a corneal
infection of the eye.
Epicoccum sp. - Conidia (spores) dimensions 15-25 microns. A common
allergen. It is found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper products.
Fusarium sp - Aw (water activity) 0.90. A common soil fungus.
It is found on a wide range of plants. It is often found in humidifiers. Several
species in this genus can produce potent trichothecene toxins (5, 27). The
trichothecene (scirpene) toxin targets the following systems: circulatory,
alimentary, skin, and nervous. Produces vomitoxin on grains during unusually
damp growing conditions. Symptoms may occur either through ingestion of contaminated
grains or possibly inhalation of spores. The genera can produce hemorrhagic
syndrome in humans (alimentary toxic aleukia). This is characterized by nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding. Reported
to be allergenic. Frequently involved in eye, skin and nail infections.
Geotrichum sp. - Aw (water activity) 0.90. Conidia (spores) dimensions
6-12 x 3-6 microns. Aw (water activity) 0.90. A common contaminant of grains,
fruits, dairy products, paper, textiles, soil and water, and often present
as part of the normal human flora. The species Geotrichum candidum can cause
a secondary infection (geotrichosis) in association with tuberculosis. This
rare disease can cause lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung, and intestine.
Mucor sp. - Often found in soil, dead plant material, horse dung,
fruits, and fruit juice. It is also found in leather, meat, dairy products,
animal hair, and jute. A Zygomycetes fungus which may be allergenic (skin
and bronchial tests) (7, 17). This organism and other Zygomycetes will grow
rapidly on most fungal media. May cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals.
The sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection
may have multiple sites.
Nigrospora sp - Reported to be allergenic.
Paecilomyces sp - Commonly found in soil and dust, less frequently
in air. P. variotii can cause paecilomycosis. Linked to wood-trimmers disease
and humidifier associated illnesses. They are reported to allergenic. Some
members of this genus are reported to cause pneumonia. It may produce arsine
gas if growing on arsenic substrate. This can occur on wallpapers covered
with paris green.
Papulospora sp. - This fungi is found in soil, textiles, decaying
plants, manure, and paper.
Penicillium sp - Aw (water activity) 0.78 - 0.88. A wide number
of organisms have placed in this genera. Identification to species is difficult.
Often found in aerosol samples. Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, and
grains (17, 5). It is also found in paint and compost piles. It may cause
hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals.
It is reported to be allergenic (skin) (7, 17). It is commonly found in carpet,
wallpaper, and in interior fiberglass duct insulation (NC). Some species can
produce mycotoxins. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity:
type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may
develop pulmonary emphysema.
Periconia sp - No information available, more to come.