| 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, suggesing 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.
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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