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Fungal Glossary C

 

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Calcarisporium sp.: Comprise a small proportion of the fungal biota and may be more common in northern forested or southeastern areas of the united states. This organism in most closely related to Sporothrix and Nodulisporium. (Spores do not have distinctive morp hology and would be categorized as “other colorless” on spore trap samples.) Natural habitat includes other fungi (mushrooms in the families Agaricaceae and Boletaceae) and wood.

Candida sp.: Part of the normal flora of mouth and other mucous membranes in the body. Thrush and other diseases caused by candida albicans usually occur after prolonged treatment with antibiotics or steroids. The environment is not a likely source of exposure for his fungus. Cells from the organism are usually not airborne. Reported to be allergenic.

Cephaloascus sp.: (Spores do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as “other colorless” on spore trap samples.) Natural habitat includes wood, insects, and fruit.

Ceratocystis/Ophiostoma group: Found on commercial lumber, tree and plant pathogen. Disseminates by wet spores and insects. Most homes built with lumber have areas of growth on wood framing inside walls. Some species may grow on specialized laboratory media. Asexual forms grow on general fungal media. Distinctive fruiting bodies with long necks are identifiable on tape lifts.

Cercospora sp.: Parasite of higher plants, causing leaf spot. Mode if dissemination: Dry spore, wind. Common outdoors in agricultural areas, especially during harvest. Not easily confused with other spore types on spore trap sampling.

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Chaetomium sp.: contaminant. Large ascomycetous fungus producing perithecia. It is found on a variety of substrate containing cellulose including paper and plant compost. It has been found on paper in sheetrock. It is reported to be allergenic. Can produce an Acremonium like state on fungal media.

Choanephora sp.: Comprise a very small proportion of the fungal biota and may be more common in the southeastern areas of the United States. Some taxonomists into Blakeslea place two species. Natural habitats include soil and plants in tropical and semitropical regions.

Chromelosporium sp.: Common in soil but now well known. This genus is most closely related to Amphobotrys and Botrytis. It is extremely common in greenhouses growing on sterilized soil or vermiculite in pots and flats. Spores have somewhat distinctive morphology. Formerly called Ostracoderma.

Chrysonilia sp.: Common and may be more common in the eastern and southeastern areas of the United States. The genus is heterogeneous and is not a natural grouping. It commonly grows on sterilized soil in the greenhouse as well as bread (called red bread mold). It has a very rapid growth rate and can be a formidable problem as a contaminant in the laboratory. A single case of human infection was reported in 1961, which was as endophthalmitis following cataract extraction. Spores are a form of arthrospore but are large, variable in size, and distinctive. Natural habitat is said to be soil, according to some but not all references. Formerly called Monilia sitophilia.

Chrysosporium sp.: Common and comprise a heterogeneous group whose taxonomy has been widely debated. This genus is keratinophilic and/or cellulytic and is closely related to the dermatophytes, those organisms infecting the skin. Geomyces is considered by some to be a Chrysosporium species. Health effects include rare reports of onychomycosis, skin lesions, and endocarditis. May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in the air by sulturable sampling. Spores do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as “other colorless” on spore trap samples. Natural habitat includes soil, dung, children’s sandboxes, seeds, birds’ nests, and plant remains such as leaf litter.

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Circinella sp.: Comprise a very small proportion of the fungal biota and are most solely related to Mucor. Spores do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as “other colorless” on spore trap samples. Recorded isolations are from soil, dung, and nuts (especially Brazil nuts).

Cladosporium sp.: Contaminant. Non-pathogenic. Found as a secondary invader of plants, food, soil, paint, and textiles. Allergen.

Coelomycetes – Where found: Saprophytic or parasitic on higher plants, other fungi, lichens, and vertebrates. Conidial masses may be dry or slimy. Spread by insects, water splash, and wind. Affects Type I Allergies (hay fever and asthma). Grows indoor on many substrates, including ceiling tile and linoleum. May have little effect on the indoor air because in many genera, air currents do not readily disseminate the spores. These fungi are sometimes referred to as “pycnidial formers”. Spores often formed in sticky masses or exuded in mucoid droplets. Most are not easily recognizable on spore trap slides. A few are very distinctive.

Conidobolus: Can cause a chronic inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa.

Contaminant: Something that is present without injuring or benefiting the host. They do not cause infection.

Cunninghamella sp.: can cause disseminated and pulmonary infections in immune compromised hosts.

Curvularia sp.: Contaminant. Opportunistic pathogen. Found in air, soil, and textiles. Causes infections in eyes and sinuses.

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