Absidia- A zygomycete fungus. 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.

Acremonium- Contaminant. Opportunistic pathogen, found in sewage, soil, and vegetation, associated with infections of the eye and nails.

Alternaria sp.- A very common allergen with an IgE mediated response. It is often found in carpets, textiles, and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors. Often found on window frames. Outdoors it may be isolated from samples of soil, seeds and plants. It is commonly found in outdoor samples. The large spore size 20-200 microns in length and 7-18 microns in sizes, suggest that the spores from this fungi will be deposited in the nose, mouth, and upper respiratory tract. It may be related to bakers asthma. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Amphobotrys sp.- Amphobotrys species comprise a very small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely related to Botrytis. No information if available regarding health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. Identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by culturable sampling. Spores are not distinctive on spore trap samples and would be categorized as “other colorless”. Recorded sources of isolation are from plants.

Annellophora/Taeniolella rudis- Annellophora species are common, but compromise a small portion of the fungal biota. This genus is related to Taeniolella. In particular, Taeniolella rudis has very similar morphology. The spores of both genera are dark brown and distinctive. Annellophora species have areas of successive proliferations, whereas Taeniolella rudis does not. 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 spore trap samples. These genera do not grow on common laboratory media. Natural habitat includes leaves and wood. They are sometimes associated with lumber and can be found indoors on wood and plants.

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Aphanocladium sp.- Common, but compromise a small proportion of the fungal biota. Spores are dry and are designed for wind dissemination. This very delicate genus is somewhat related to Beauveria and Engyodontium. No information is available regarding health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. Identified in air by culturable sampling. Spores are not distinctive on spore trap samples and would be categorized as “other colorless”. Recorded sources of isolation are from other fungi, spiders, dung, and litter.

Arthospore formers- Very primitive spore type. Formed by the breaking up or disarticulation of fungal mycelia. Many yeast-like fungi such as the genera Geotricum and Trichosporon form arthospores. These organisms require a series of biochemical tests for definitive identification. Many micro fungi form more than one kind of spore, including arthrospores as well as spores that are morphologically distinct. Other microfungi form only arthrospores but with mechanisms or other structural morphologies that are unique. Most of the basidiomycetes form arthrospores as part of their mycelial phase; these arthrospores are not distinctive and are for the most part not an aid in identification. Colonies isolated on Anderson samples with aerial mycelia and many arthrospores are most probably the result of germinating basidiospores from mushrooms.

Arthrinium sp.- Found in soil or decomposing plant material. Disseminated by wind. Arthrinium sphaerospremum is reported as an allergen. Rarely reported as cellulolytic. Grows well on general fungal media. White, floccose, spreading. Develops brown to black spore clusters with time.

Arthrobotrys sp.- Compromise a very small proportion of the fungal aerobiota. 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 spore trap samples. Found primarily in the soil and is one of those fungi capable of capturing nematodes.

Ascospores- Produced by morels, truffles, cup, fungi, ergot and many micro fungi. Found everywhere in nature. Spores are predominantly forcibly discharged during periods of high humidity or rain. The cellulolytic ascomecetes Chaetomium and Ascotricha are frequently found growing indoors on damp substrates.

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Ascotricha sp.- Species compromise a small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely related to Chaetomium. No information is available regarding health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. Identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples and in air by spore trap sampling. Spores are round, brown, and may be identified to genus if other structural elements (such as perithecial hairs) are present. Otherwise, these spores may be placed in the spore category “smuts, Periconia, myxomycetes” or may be called “unknown brown”. Ascotricha is cellulolytic and sources of isolation include damp sheet-rock paper, woody and straw materials.

Aspergillus sp.- Contaminant. Opportunistic pathogen, commonly found in the environment, certain types can cause aspergillosis.

Aspergillus caesiellus- this species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus candidus- Found in warm soils, grain and in the secondary decay of vegetation. Associated with respiratory complaints in a recent house investigation. Can produce to toxin petulin that may be associated with disease in humans and other animals.

Aspergillus carneus- This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus clavatus- Found in soils and animal manure. Can produce the toxin petulin that may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus defelctus- This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

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Aspergillus flavus- It grows on moldy corn and peanuts. IT can be found in warm soil, foods, and dairy products. Some strains are capable of producing a group of mycotoxins- in the aflatoxin group. Aflatoxins are known animal carcinogen. There is limited evidence to suggest that this toxin is a human carcinogen. The toxin is poisonous to humans by ingestion. It may also result in occupational disease via inhalation. Experiments have indicated that it is teratogenic and mutagenic. It is toxic to the liver. It is reported to be allergenic. Its presence is associated with reports of asthma. IT can be found in water-damaged carpets. The production of the fungal toxin is dependent on the growth conditions and on the substrate used as a food source. This fungus is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or disseminated aspergillosis. This fungus is occasionally identifies as the cause of corneal , otomycotic and nasoorbital infections.

Aspergillus fumigatus- Major cause of aspergillosis. This organism causes both invasive and allergic aspergillosis. Aspergillosis affects individuals who are immune compromised. It is considered a human pathogen. It grows well at 35 degrees C. It is commonly found outdoors in compost piles with temperature higher than 40 degrees C, in mild to warm soils and on cereals.

Aspergillus glaucus- common outdoor fungus in the winter. It is reported to be allergenic. This species is only occasionally pathogenic. It can grow on leather. This fungus can grow at low moisture levels on grains, sugary food products, meat and wool. The ascomycetous state is Eurotium sp.

Aspergillus nidulans- Found in mild to warm soils and on slowly decaying plants. Can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin. This toxin has been shown to produce liver and kidney damage in lab animals. This fungus is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or disseminated aspergillosis. This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus niger- Less common cause of aspergillosis. It has a musty odor. It is commonly found in the environment on textiles, soils, grains, fruits, and vegetables. It has been reported to cause skin and pulmonary infections. It is a common cause of fungal related ear infections-otomycosis.

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Aspergillus oschraceus- Found in grains, soil and salted food products. It is not usually associated with decaying vegetation. Can produce a kidney toxin oschratoxin A, which may produce oschratoxicosis in humans. This is also known as Balkan Nephoropathy. The toxin is produces at optimum growth conditions at 25 Degrees C and high moisture conditions. The ochratoxin may also be produced by other aspergillus sp. and penicillium sp. Other toxins that can be produced by this fungus include penicillic acid, xanthomegnin and viomellein. There are all reported to be kidney and liver toxins.

Aspergillus oryzae- This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus parasiticus- Some strains are capable of producing a group of mycotoxins-in the aflatoxin group. Aflatoxins are known animal carcinogen. There is limited evidence to suggest that this toxin is a human carcinogen. The toxin is poisonous to humans by ingestion. Experiments have indicated that it is tertogenic and mutagenic. It is toxic to the liver. The production of the fungal toxin is dependant on the growth conditions and on the substrate used as a food source.

Aspergillus penicilloides- Can grow in area with low water activity. It is found in house dust and food.

Aspergillus restricrus- This species is only occasional pathogenic.

Aspergillus sydowi- This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus terreus- Found in warmer soil and in grains, straw, cotton and decomposing vegetation. Can produce the toxin patulin and citrinin that may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. This fungus is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or disseminated aspergillosis. Found as an isolate from otomycosis (ear infection) and enychomycosis (infection of the finger or toe nails)

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Aspergillus ustus- This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aspergillus versicolor- It is commonly found in soil, hay, cotton, and dairy products. It can produce a mycotoxin sterigmatocystin and cyclopuaxonic acid. These toxins cause diarrhea and upset stomach. It is reported to be a kidney and lever carcinogen. This species is only occasionally pathogenic.

Aureobasidium sp.- Contaminant. Opportunistic pathogen, found worldwide in soil, food, and wood. Rarely associated with human disease.

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