Absidia sp - A zygomycete fungus which is
considered common to the indoor environment. Reported to be allergenic. 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. Absidia cormbifera has
been an invasive infection agent in AIDS and neutropenic patients, as well as, agents of
bovine mycotic abortions, and feline subcutaneous abscesses. Acremonium species may be
confused with Fusarium species that primarily produce microconidia in culture. Fusarium
genera are generally much more rapid growers and produce more aerial mycelium.
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Acremonium sp (Cephalosporium sp.) - Reported to be
allergenic. Can produce a trichothecene toxin which is toxic if ingested. It was the
primary fungus identified in at least two houses where the occupant complaints were
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Asexual state of Emericellopsis sp., Chaetomium sp., and
Nectripsis sp. It can produce mycetomas, infections of the nails, onychomycosis, corneal
ulcers, eumycotic mycetoma, endophthalmitis, meningitis, and endocarditis.
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Alternaria sp - Extremely widespread and ubiquitous.
Outdoors it may be isolated from samples of soil, seeds, and plants. It is commonly found
in outdoor samples. It is often found in carpets, textiles, and on horizontal surfaces in
building interiors. Often found on window frames. The species Alternaria alternata is
capable of producing tenuazonic acid and other toxic metabolites which may be associated
with disease in humans or animals. Alternaria produces large spores having sizes between
20 - 200 microns in length and 7 - 18 microns in width,
suggesting that the spores from
this fungi are deposited in the nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract. It may be
related to bakers asthma. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumoniti,
sinusitis, deratomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, and invasive
infection. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I).
Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary
emphysema.
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Arthrinium phaeospermum- Widespread saprophyte on
dead plant material, particularly swampy grasses. Should be considered an allergen. This
fungus has also been documented in various subcutaneous infections. No toxic related
diseases are of record to date.
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Ascomycete.- One of the major classes of fungal
organisms. This class contains the the"sac fungi" and yeasts. Some ascomycete
spores can be identified by spore morphology, however; some care should be excersised with
regard to specific identification. Many ascomycete spores are reported to be allergenic.
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Aspergillus sp - A genus of fungi containing
approximately 150 recognized species. Members of this genus have been recovered from a
variety of habitats, but are especially common as saprophytes on decaying vegetation,
soils, stored food, feed products in tropical and subtropical regions. Some species are
parasitic on insects, plants and animals, including man. Species within this genus have
reported Aw's (water activities) between 0.75 - 0.82. All of the species contained in this
genus should be considered allergenic. Various Aspergillus species are a common cause of
extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema
and bronchiospasms. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Members of this genus
are reported to cause a variety of opportunistic infections of the ears and eyes. Sever
pulmonary infections may also occur. Many species produce mycotoxins which may be
associated with disease in humans and other animals. Toxin production is dependent on the
species or a strain within a species and on the food source for the fungus. Some of these
toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species. Several toxins are considered
potential human carcinogens.
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Aureobasidium pullulans - A cosmopolitan fungus with
the main habitat apparently on the aerial parts of plants. Frequently found in moist
environments. This fungus should be considered allergenic. This species has been
associated with deratitis, peritonitis, pulmaonary infection, and invasive disease in AIDS
patients. Probably aquired by traumatic implantation. May be recovered as a contaminant
from human cutaneous sites. No toxic diseases have been documented to date.
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Basidiomycetes - One of the major classes of fungal
organisms. This class contains the mushrooms, shelf fungi, puffballs, and a variety of
other macrofungi. It is extremely difficult to identify a specific genera of mushrooms by
using standard culture plate techniques. Some basidiomycete spores can be identified by
spore morphology, however; some care should be exercised with regard to specific
identification. Many basidiomycete spores are reported to be allergenic.
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Bipolaris sp - A widespread fungus that is most
frequently associated with grasses, plant material, decaying food, and soil. It is common
to both indoor and outdoor environments. Older obsolete names include Drechslera and
Helminthosporium. This fungus produces large spores which would be expected to be
deposited in the upper respiratory tract. Various species of this fungus can produce the
mycotoxin - sterigmatocystin which has been shown to produce liver and kidney damage when
ingested by laboratory animals.
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Candida sp - This genus contains a variety of
organisms that have been isolated from the environment, as well as human skin and mucous
membranes.
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Chaetomium sp. - Large ascomycetous fungus producing
perithecia. It is found on a variety of substrates containing cellulose including paper
and plant compost. It can be readily found on the damp or water damaged paper in
sheetrock.
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Chrysosporium spp - 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.
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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.
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Curvularia sp. - Reported to be allergenic. It may
cause corneal infections, mycetoma and infections in immune compromised hosts.
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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.
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Epicoccum sp. - Conidia (spores) dimensions 15-25
microns. A common allergen. It is found in plants, soil, grains, textiles, and paper
products.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Nigrospora sp - Reported to be allergenic.
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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.
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Papulospora sp. - This fungi is found in soil,
textiles, decaying plants, manure, and paper.
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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.
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Periconia sp - No information available, more to come.
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Phoma sp. - A common indoor air allergen. It is
similar to the early stages of growth of Chaetomium sp. The species are isolated from soil
and associated plants (particularly potatoes). Produces pink and purple spots on painted
walls (3, 17). It may have antigens which cross-react with those of Alternaria sp. It will
grow on butter, paint, cement, and rubber. It may cause phaeohyphomycosis, a systematic or
subcutaneous disease.
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Pithomyces sp. - Grows on dead grass in pastures.
Causes facial eczema in ruminants.
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Rhizomucor sp. - The Zygomycetous fungus is reported
to be allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. It occupies a
biological niche similar to Mucor sp. It is often linked to occupational allergy. The
sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have
multiple sites.
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Rhizopus sp - The Zygomycetous fungus is reported to
be allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. It occupies a
biological niche similar to Mucor sp. It is often linked to occupational allergy. The
sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have
multiple sites.
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Rhodotorula sp - A reddish yeast typically found in
moist environments such as carpeting, cooling coils, and drain pans. In some countries it
is the most common yeast genus identified in indoor air. This yeast has been reported to
be allergenic. Positive skin tests have been reported. It has colonized in terminally ill
patients.
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Sporotrichum sp - Reported to be allergenic. See also Sporothrix sp. as there is some taxonomic confusion between these two genera. This genera
does not cause sporotrichosis.
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Stachybotrys sp. - Aw (water activity) - 0.94, optimum
Aw (water activity) - >0.98. Several strains of this fungus (S. atra, S. chartarum and
S. alternans are synonymous) may produce a trichothecene mycotoxin- Satratoxin H - which
is poisonous by inhalation. The toxins are present on the fungal spores. This is a slow
growing fungus on media. It does not compete well with other rapidly growing fungi. The
dark colored fungi grows on building material with a high cellulose content and a low
nitrogen content. Areas with relative humidity above 55% and are subject to temperature
fluctuations are ideal for toxin production. Individuals with chronic exposure to the
toxin produced by this fungus reported cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea,
headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, and generalized malaise. The
toxins produced by this fungus will suppress the immune system affecting the lymphoid
tissue and the bone marrow. Animals injected with the toxin from this fungus exhibited the
following symptoms: necrosis and hemorrhage within the brain, thymus, spleen, intestine,
lung, heart, lymph node, liver, and kidney. The mycotoxin is also reported to be a liver
and kidney carcinogen. Affects by absorption of the toxin in the human lung are known as
pneumomycosis. This organism is rarely found in outdoor samples. It is usually difficult
to find in indoor air samples unless it is physically disturbed. The spores are in a
gelatinous mass. Appropriate media for the growth of this organism will have a high
cellulose content and a low nitrogen content. The spores will die readily after release.
The dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic. Percutaneous absorption has caused
mild symptoms.
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Stemphylium sp. - Reported to be allergenic. Isolated from dead plants and cellulose materials.
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Syncephalastrum sp. - Can cause a respiratory infection characterized by a solid fungal ball.
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Trichoderma sp - It is commonly found in soil, dead
trees, pine needles, paper, and unglazed ceramics. It often will grow on other fungi. It
produces antibiotics which are toxic to humans. It has been reported to be allergenic (7,
17). It readily degrades cellulose.
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Trichophyton sp - Can cause ring worm, athlete's
foot, skin, nail, beard, and scalp (5, 6). Reported to be allergenic. Found on soil and
skin.
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Ulocladium sp - Has an Aw (water activity) of 0.89.
Isolated from dead plants and cellulose materials. Found on textiles.
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Verticillium sp - Conidia (spores) dimensions 2.3-10
x 1-2.6 microns. Found in decaying vegetation, on straw, soil, and arthropods. A rare
cause of corneal infections.
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Wallemia sp - Has an Aw (water activity) of 0.75.
Conidia (spores) dimensions 2.5-3.5 microns. Found in sugary foods, salted meats, dairy
products, textiles, soil, hay, and fruits
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Yeast - Various yeasts are commonly identified on air
samples. Some yeasts are reported to be allergenic. They may cause problems if a person
has had previous exposure and developed hypersensitivity. Yeasts may be allergenic to
susceptible individuals when present in sufficient concentrations.
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