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
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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