A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Memnoniella sp.: Found in plant litter, soil,
and many types of plants and trees. Modes of dissemination:
Dry spore. Wind. Grows on a variety of substrates
indoors. Cellulolytic. Grows on general fungal
media, forming dark gray to black colonies. In
Memnoniella, the spores do not slime down but
are held in long chains. Distinctive on spore
traps and on tape lifts.
Microascus sp.: Common but comprise a small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely
related to other perithecial forming ascomycetes
such as Melanospora. Some species of Microascus
have been isolated form clinical sources such
as cases of onychomucosis, cutaneous lesions,
and mycetomas. Microascus manginii was reported
to be the cause of a disseminated infection in
a leukemic patient in 1987. No information is
available regarding other inhalation health effects
or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, and
tease mounts from bulk samples. If Microascus
spores are isolated on culturable sampling, the
Scopulariopsis anamorph is likely to be the identifiable
result, at least with primary growth within one
week. ay be identified on spore trap samples if
the presence of this genus has already been demonstrated
(for example, on tape lifts). Spores have somewhat
distinctive morphology but may be confused with
other genera. Recorded isolations are from sunflower
seeds, soybeans, sand, soil, chicken littler and
waste compost.
Microsporum: Causes ringworm in humans.
Microstroma sp.: Comprise a very small proportion
of the fungal biota. No information is available
regarding health effects of toxicity. Allergenicity
has not been studied. May be identified on surfaces
by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk sampling
and in air by spore trap samples. While spores
are only somewhat distinctive, this organism at
times becomes airborne with underlying sporulating
structures intact, so that the entire organism
may be seen on spore trap traces. In culture Microstroma
grows as a yeast. This organism is a plant pathogen
and is common on leaves of Juglans and Carya.
Monilia sp.: reported to be allergenic. this
fungus produces soft rot of tree fruits. Other
members produce a red bread mold. It is infrequently
involved in corneal eye infections.
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Mortierella sp.: Soil
organisms, common and are related to other zygomycetes
such as Mucor. There are no reports of any health
effects in humans although some species cause
abortions and pulmonary infections in cattle.
No information is available regarding toxicity.
Allergenicity has not been studied. May be identified
on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulks
samples, and in air by culturable samples. Spores
do not have distinctive morphology and would be
categorized as “other colorless” on
spore trap samples. While most recorded isolations
are from soil, other sources include sugar cane,
damaged grasses, and vegetable seeds. Seen occasionally
in quantitative dust samples.
Mucor sp.: Contaminant. Opportunistic pathogen.
Found in soil, decaying vegetation, and animal
dung. Can cause Zygomycoses and lung infection.
Mycosis: disease caused by fungus.
Mycotypha sp.: Comprise a very small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely
related to other one spored mitosporangial zygomycetes
such as Choanephora and Cunninghamella. No information
is available regarding health effects, or toxicity.
Allergenicity had not been studied. Rarely found
but may be identified on surfaces by tape lifts,
tease mounts from bulk samples and in air by culturable
sampling. Spores do not have distinctive morphology
and would be categorized as “other colorless”
on spore trap samples. Natural habitat is soil.
Mycrothecium sp.: Found on grasses, plants and
soil. Also found on decaying fruiting bodies of
Russula mushrooms. Mode of dissemination: Wet
spore. Insects, water splash, and wind when dried
out. There are no reports of human infection.
It has been identified as an indoor contaminant.
Occurrence is rare. Grows on general fungal media.
Spores have a gray green pigment. Identifiable
on spore trap slides as a distinctive gray-green
cylindrical spore with striations, a flat base,
and a pointed end.
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Myxomycetes sp.: Found on decaying logs, stumps
and dead leaves (particularly in forested regions).
These organisms have both dry and wet spores.
Wind disperses the dry fruiting body spores, whereas
the wet amoebic phase is motile. Type I allergies
(hay fever, asthma). No reports of human infection.
Occasionally found indoors. The myxomycetes have
an interesting life cycle, which includes a wet
spore phase and a dry spore phase. When conditions
are favorable, they move about like amoebae, resembling
primitive animals. When conditions are not favorable,
they form a resting body (sclreotium) with dry,
airborne spores. The myxomycetes are not considered
to be a true fungi. The myxomycetes do not grow
on general fungal media. While a few are distinctive
on spore traps, many of the myxomycete spores
are difficult to distinguish from the smuts. These
spores are placed in the group “smuts, myxomycetes,
Periconia” due to their similar “round,
brown” morphology. They are occasionally
seen and identified on tape lifts. Distinctive
especially when fragments of the lacy fruiting
bodies are present.
Myxotrichum sp.: Comprise a small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely
related to other gymnothecial forming ascomycetes
such as Gymnoascus and Ctenomyces. Health effects
are very rare with only one report of onychomycosis
in 1976. No information is available regarding
toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, and
tease mounts from bulk samples. If myxotrichum
spores are isolated on culturable sampling, the
geomyces, malbranchea or Oidiodendron anamorph
is likely to be the identifiable result, at least
with primary growth within one week. Spores do
not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized
as “other colorless” on spore trap samples.
This organism is keratinophilic and cellulolytic.
Natural habitat is soil. Isolated regularly from
paper substrates, damp drywall, and decomposing
carpets.
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