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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
Saccharomyces: Baker’s yeast.
Scedosporium sp.: Comprise a small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is distantly related
to Sporothrix, Exophiala, and Scopulariosis. Two
species have health effects which can be serious,
even fatal. Scedosporium apiospermum and Scedosporium
prolificans. These organisms have a surplus of
past names. S.paiospermum was formerly called
Monosporium apiospermum, while S. porlificans
was formerly called S. inflatum. In addition,
the sexual phase of S. apiospermum, now called
Pseudallescheria boydii, has been called Allescheria
boydii and the Petriellidium boydii. To confuse
things even further, S. apiospermum has yet another
asexual coremial form called Graphium eumoorphum.
Schizophyllum commune: A macrofungus, commonly
called the “Split-gill”. It looks like
a polypore but has uniquely splitting gills, and
has been placed in its own family, the Schizophylaveae,
by most taxonomists. It has been found growing
on a variety of domestic materials, including
plaster. These small bracket-like fungi are whitish,
hairy, with a tough leathery flesh. They may remain
dry for 50 years and when moistened will unroll
their gills and begin shedding spores. Adverse
health effects are rare but cases of the following
have been reported: brain abscess (1996), fungus
ball in the lungs (1995), sinusitis (1992, 1990,
1986, 1956), allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis
(1994), ulcerative lesions of the hard palate
(1973), chronic lung disease (1956), meningitis
(1955), and onychomycosis (1950). No information
is available regarding toxicity and allergenicity
has not been well studied. Identification is made
when the macro fungal bodies are collected and
submitted. The basidiospores are somewhat distinctive
and would be identifiable on spore trap samples
if large fruitings are present within a building.
In addition, this is one of the few macrofungi
that grow and fruit on general fungal media. Our
laboratory has isolated this fungus on Andersen
samples from buildings with large numbers growing
on wooden building materials. Natural outdoor
habitat of this fungus is hardwood sticks, stumps,
and logs, with a worldwide distribution.
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Scolecobasidium sp.: Comprise a very small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is distantly related
to Ochroconis and Dactylaria. Opinions differ
regarding the taxonomy of these three genera and
are considered by many to be synonyms. All three
genera are listed in Ainsworth and Bisby’s
dictionary of the Fungi as legitimate genera.
There have been several reports of opportunistic
infections caused by these genera but a true pathogenic
role has not been firmly established. No information
if available regarding upper respiratory health
effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been
studied. May be identified on surfaces by tape
lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples and in air
by culturable (Andersen) samples. Certain species
of Scolecobasidium have somewhat distinctive spores
which could be counted on spore trap samples if
the presence of this genus has already been demonstrated
(for example, on tape lifts). Natural habitat
includes soil, and decaying leaves.
Scopulariopsis sp.: It may produce arsine gas
if growing on arsenic substrate. This can occur
on wallpapers covered with paris green. It has
been found growing on a wide variety of materials
including house dust. It is associated with type
III allergy.
Sepedonium sp.: Common but comprise a small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is somewhat related
to Chrysosporium and Staphylotrichum. It also
bears a superficial resemblance to Histoplasma
capsulatum, an important pathogen found primarily
in the Midwestern United States. May be identified
on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk
samples, and in air by culturable (Andersen) and
spore trap samples. Spores have distinctive morphology.
Natural habitat is soil, coniferous wood, and
mushroom conquest. Commonly parasitic on mushrooms
in the Agaricaceae and Boletaceae as well.
Skin: skin cells are a source of food for dust
mites (allergen).
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Spetonema sp.: Comprise a very small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is somewhat related
to Cladosporium. No information is available regarding
health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has
not been studied. May be identified on surfaces
by tape lifts, and tease mounts from bulk samples.
Septonema has somewhat distinctive spores which
could be counted on spore trap samples if the
presence of this genus has already been demonstrated
(for example, on tape lift). Commonly found on
the bark of deciduous or coniferous tress as well
as on other fungi, particularly the Pyrenomycetes.
Less commonly found in soil and buried root pieces.
Serpula lacrymans: Common cause of extrinsic
asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchi
spasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.
Smuts: associated with plants.
Sordaria sp.: Common but comprise a small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely
related to other perithecial ascomycetes such
as Gelasinospora and Melanospora. No information
is available regarding health effects or toxicity.
Allergenicity has not been studied. May be identified
on surfaces by tape lifts, and tease mounts from
bulk samples. If Sodaria spores are isolated on
culturable (Andersen) sampling, non sporulating
mycelia is likely to be the result, atleast with
primary growth within one week. Sordaria sporulates
better on specialized media with a longer incubation
period. May be identified on spore trap samples
(spores have distinctive morphology but could
possibly by confused with other genera). Natural
habitat is mainly on dung, but found also on seeds
and in soil.
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Spegazzinia sp.: Comprise a very small proportion
of the fungal biota. This genus is somewhat related
to other lobed or ornamented genera such as Candelabrum.
No information is available regarding health effects
or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Usually identified on spore trap samples where
it is seen every few weeks. Spores have distinctive
morphology. May also be found in air by culturable
(Andersen) samples if a long enough incubation
period is provided so that sporulation occurs.
Natural habitat includes soil and many kinds of
trees and plants.
Spiniger state of Heterobasidion species: Comprise
a very small proportion of the fungal biota. This
genus is interesting because it is a conidial
state or a macrofungus, a polypore called Heterobasidion.
Polypores are bracket fungi usually seen on dead
or dying logs in the forest. No information is
available regarding health effects or toxicity.
Allergenicity has not been studied. May be identified
on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk
samples, and in air by culturable (Andersen) sampling.
Spores do not have distinctive morphology and
would be categorized as "other colorless"
on spore trap samples.
Sporobolomyces sp.: found on trees, soil, rotting
fruit and other plant materials. Associated with
lesions caused by other plant parasites. Mode
of dissemination: Wet spore. Ballistospores are
forcibly discharged during high humidity. Known
allergen; Type I and Type III allergies. Implicated
cause of
Sporomiella sp.dermatitis. Other disease associations
are unclear. Grows on a variety of substrates.
Requires very wet conditions. Sporobolomyces is
a basidiomycete (active spore release in times
of high humidity). If culturable sampling is conducted
on a rainy day, indoor counts may be very high.
If repeat sampling is carried out on a dry day
at the same location, Spotobolomyces counts may
be drastically reduced.
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Sporomiella sp.: common but comprise a small
proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is
most closely related to other multicelled dark
spored ascomycetes such as Preussia and Hysterium.
No information is available regarding health effects
or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease
mounts from bulk samples, and in air on spore
trap samples. Spores have distinctive morphology.
Natural habitat is mainly on dung of various animals.
Sporothrix sp.: can cause sporotrichosis. Usually
only in populations which are immune compromised.
Sporotrichum sp.: Reported to be allergenic.
This genera does not cause sporotrichosis.
Stachybotrys sp.: Found in soil, decaying plant
substrates, decomposing cellulose (hay, straw),
leaf litter, and seeds. Growth not influences
by soil pH or copper; growth enhanced by manure.
Mode of dissemination: Wet spore. Insects, water
splash. Wind when dried out. Allergens are not
well studied. Type I allergies reported. No reports
of human infection. Macrocyclic trichothecenes:
verracarin J, roridin E, satratoxin F, G &
H, sporidesmin G, trichoverrol; cyclosporins,
stachybotryolactone. Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis:
human toxicosis has been described: may be characterized
by dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, itching, or burning
sensation in mouth, throat, nasal passages and
eyes. The best-described toxicoses are from domestic
animals that have eaten contaminated hay and straw
or inhaled infected material from contaminated
bedding. Commonly found indoors on wet materials
containing cellulose, such as wallboard, jute,
wicker, straw, baskets and other paper materials.
Many reports of Stachybotrys are anecdotal. Stachybotrys
mycotoxicosis is currently the subject of toxin
research. Grows well on general fungal media.
Stachybotrys is slow growing as compared to Penicillium
and other common mold genera, and may not compete
well in the presence of other fungi. However,
when water availability is high for prolonged
periods on environmental material, Stachybotrys
may gradually become the predominating mold, especially
on cellulose containing materials. Notes on spore
trap recognition: Spores of the species S. chartarum
are not distinctive, and not easily confused with
other genera. Carbon fragments which may be oval
and of similar size may sometimes be confused
with S chartarum. Memnoniella and Gliomastix produce
spores with similar gray black pigment. Note:
Spore trap samples are more likely to demonstrate
the presence of Stachybotrys than culturable samples.
Notes on Tape Lift Recognition: Distinctive, readily
identifiable on tape lift samples. Direct microscopic
observation of samples is often necessary as Stachybotrys
may be missed if only culture methods are used.
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Stemphylium sp.: Found in soil, wood, decaying
vegetation. Some species found on leaves are plant
pathogens. Mode of dissemination: wind (dry spore).
Known allergen. Shares allergens with Alternaria.
Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma). A rare report
of phaeohyphomycotic sinusitis (identification
questionable). Growth outdoors is rare. Grows
on general fungal lab media; sporulation may be
slow to absent. "Light/dark cycling"
may induce sporulation. Notes on spore trap recognition:
Distinctive, not easily confused with other genera,
although young spores or spore fragments may be
confused with other pigmented muriform spores
such as Ulocladium, Alternaria, or Pithomyces.
Notes on tape lift recognition: Distinctive and
readily identifiable on tape lifts. Although Stemphylium
is rarely found growing indoors, it may be seen
in dust as part of the normal influx of outdoor
particles.
Syncephalastrum sp.: can cause a respiratory
infection characterized by a solid intracaitary
fungal ball.
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