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| Mold Inspection If there are indications that a mold inspection is warranted, testing should be performed in conjunction with a thorough visual inspection of existing conditions aided with infrared thermography and moisture metering. A mold inspection should not merely rely on air sampling for mold taken inside and outside for comparison. It’s a tough issue to discuss with potential buyers the value of performing a mold inspection. This simple testing of the air can put the buyer at ease with an important issue being eliminated in that the property most likely does not have unusual presence of mold. The home inspection itself should look for and identify any building envelope moisture problems, refrigerator gaskets, toilet and sink leaks that may have already provided the moisture needed for mold to grow and the mold growth is actually visible. Three air samples should be taken, with two air samples on the exterior (front and rear) that provide the control samples for the various mold spore types existing in the environment and one interior that give a good indication of the spores inside that are to be compared with the spore types outside. Ideally the interior sample does not contain any mold spore types that do not exist on the exterior and the interior counts are the same or lower than those that exist outdoors.
 
Infrared photo of water under tile. Temperature of air at ceiling supply..
What Is Mold? Molds are organisms that may be found indoors and outdoors. They are part of the natural environment and play an important role in the environment by breaking down and digesting organic material. Molds are neither plants nor animals. They are part of the kingdom Fungi.
Mold is Fungi The diagram below demonstrates the position of fungi among other living organisms. Fungi are not plants. Fungi are not animals. Fungi belong to a kingdom of their own. Plants convert carbon dioxide directly into carbohydrates for food. Animals and fungi must find complex carbon in the environment for food. While animals ingest the food and degrade it internally, fungi excrete chemicals (enzymes) into the environment that degrade the complex carbon into soluble form. Fungi do not make their own food they way that green plants do. Fungi get nourishment from other living organisms. The main role of fungi in the ecosystem is to break down dead materials, such as dead leaves, trees, insects, and animals. The same enzymes that assist fungi in breaking down dead materials are the same that can damage wooden components in a building. Molds can damage food, stored goods, and building materials of houses. Yeast, mold, mildew, and mushroom are terms that are commonly used to refer to fungi. Mold is essentially a description of fungi growing on surfaces (like the black substance on a moldy shower wall). Mold and mildew often refer to the same fungi. All mold is fungi; not all fungi is mold. Molds come in many colors including white. "Black mold" is not a species or specific kind of mold, and neither is "toxic mold." Sometimes the news media use the terms "toxic mold" and "black mold" to refer to molds that may produce mycotoxins or for a specific mold, Stachybotrys chartarum. Molds that produce mycotoxins are often referred to as toxigenic fungi. Molds can multiply by producing microscopic spores (2 - 100 microns [μm] in diameter), similar to the seeds produced by plants. Many spores are so small they easily float through the air and can be carried for great distances by even the gentlest breeze. The number of mold spores suspended in indoor and outdoor air fluctuates from season to season, day to day, and even hour to hour. No one knows how many species of fungi exist, but estimates range from tens of thousands to perhaps three hundred thousand or more. Some of the common indoor molds are Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Alternaria.
Mold is Everywhere Mold spores are ubiquitous; they are found both indoors and outdoors. Mold spores cannot be eliminated from indoor environments. Some mold spores will be found floating through the air and on settled dust; however, they will not grow if moisture is not present.
Why Be Concerned? Mold is not usually a problem indoors—unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. As molds grow they digest whatever they are growing on. Unchecked mold growth can damage buildings and furnishings; molds can rot wood, damage drywall, and eventually cause structural damage to buildings. Mold can cause cosmetic damage, such as stains, to furnishings. The potential human health effects of mold are also a concern. It is important, therefore, to prevent mold from growing indoors. There are three (3) reasons why there should be a concern about fungi in the indoor environment: 1) potential health effects of exposure to fungi and their byproducts; 2) the effect of fungal contamination on the structural integrity of a building; and 3) the negative aesthetic effects fungi can produce both visually and on the human olfactory systems. Although the issue of whether exposure to indoor fungi causes adverse health effects is controversial, there is no doubt that a seriously mold-contaminated building can suffer structural damage and that a foul-smelling, fungus-filled building is aesthetically unpleasing. Controversies about health effects aside, the latter two reasons are sufficient to merit a complete mold inspection and remediation when an environment is found to have fungal contamination. People who have concerns about structural damage or the aesthetic effects of indoor fungi should seek the services from a certified mold inspector. People who have concerns about health effects of mold exposure should seek the counsel of a health care professional.
Physical Characteristics of Mold The structures of fungi vary widely. Some fungi have rigid cellular walls that are made of chitin. Chitin is resistant to breakdown as compared to the cellulose that makes up the cellular walls of plants. Spores can survive a very long time in harsh conditions until the environment is suitable for growth. Mold has like long, threadlike strings of cells called hyphae. Hyphae form into a tangled mass called mycelium. (The mycelium growth is the fuzzy stuff on bread.) The strings that grow down into the bread are the mycelium, which is not seen. The whole fungus body is called a thallus. Spores are produced in large numbers. They are located on the hyphae. Fungi grow well in moist, dark areas, but can be found wherever organic material is available. Molds can grow on a variety of surfaces, including paint, jet fuel, wallpaper, glass, and stainless steel. Moisture is necessary for mold growth. Moisture may come from the air and from the material upon which they grow. If the environment becomes very dry, fungi survive by going dormant or by producing spores that resist drying out. Fungi can spread via the tiny spores through the air. When a spore lands upon a surface that is moist and has material that can be used for food, it germinates and begins to grow. Hyphae grow out of the spores. Some grow up to the air. Spores are produced on the hyphae that grow upwards, above the food material. Spores can then be blown by the wind and spread to new areas. A change in the humidity level can increase spores in the air. A high relative humidity (RH) can burst the moist, swollen cells of the mold body that form spores. This is true for Penicillium and Aspergillus, two very common indoor molds. Foot traffic, carpet vacuums, or increased ventilation increases the number of airborne mold spores. Some hyphae grow down into the food material. Cells of the hyphae produce chemicals. Those chemicals break down the material (fruit, paper, wood) into food that the fungus can absorb. Most of the mold body is the hyphae that is buried in the food material and is out of sight. What is visible is the part of the mold body that produces spores.
 
Thermal image above indicates an active moisture problem behind two layers of gypsum. Removal of gypsum board reveals the mold growth as shown in the photo at right.
Mold Inspection Agreement This is an Agreement ("Agreement") between Building Inspection and Testing Company (INSPECTION COMPANY) and the undersigned client ("CLIENT"), collectively referred to herein as the "PARTIES." CLIENT agrees to employ the INSPECTION COMPANY to perform a mold inspection as set forth herein.
1. Address: The address of the property to be inspected: ______________________________________________ 2. Fee: The fee for the inspection service is $ _________________ and is based on a single visit to the property. The inspection is not technically exhaustive. The fee charged for this inspection is substantially less than that of a technically exhaustive inspection. 3. Purpose: The purpose of the inspection is to attempt to detect the presence of mold by performing a visual inspection of the property and collecting samples to be analyzed by a laboratory. 4. Scope: The scope of the inspection is limited to the readily accessible areas of the property and is based on the condition of the property at the precise time and date of the inspection and on the laboratory analysis of the samples collected. Mold can exist in inaccessible areas such as behind walls and under carpeting. Furthermore, mold grows. As such, the report is not a guarantee that mold does or does not exist. The report is only indicative of the presence or absence of mold. As a courtesy the INSPECTION COMPANY may point out conditions that contribute to mold growth but such comments are not part of the bargained for report. 5. Report: The CLIENT will be provided with a written report of the INSPECTION COMPANY's visual observations and copies of the results of the laboratory analysis of the samples collected. The INSPECTION COMPANY is not able to determine the extent or type of microbial contamination from visual observations alone. The report will be issued only after the laboratory analysis is completed. The report is not intended to comply with any legal obligations to disclosure. 6. Exclusivity: The report is intended for the sole, confidential and exclusive use and benefit of the CLIENT and the INSPECTION COMPANY has no obligation or duty to any other party. INSPECTION COMPANY accepts no responsibility for use by third parties. There are no third party beneficiaries to this agreement. This Agreement is not transferable or assignable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the CLIENT understands that the INSPECTION COMPANY may notify the homeowner, occupant, or appropriate public agency of any condition(s) discovered that may pose a safety or health concern. 7. Limitation of Liability: It is understood the INSPECTION COMPANY and the laboratory are not insurers and that the inspection, laboratory analysis and report shall not be construed as a guarantee or warranty of any kind. The CLIENT agrees to hold the INSPECTION COMPANY and their respective officers, agents and employees harmless from and against any and all liabilities, demands, claims, and expenses incident thereto for injuries to persons and for loss of, damage to, destruction of property, cost of repairing or replacing, or consequential damage arising out of or in connection with this inspection. 8. Limitations Period: Any legal action arising out of this Agreement or its subject matter must be commenced within one year from the date of the Inspection or it shall be forever barred. The CLIENT understands that this limitation period may be shorter than the statute of limitations that would otherwise apply. 9. Litigation: The parties agree that any litigation arising out of this Agreement shall be filed only in the Court having jurisdiction in the County in which the INSPECTION COMPANY has its principal place of business. If INSPECTION COMPANY is the substantially prevailing party in any such litigation, the CLIENT shall pay all legal costs, expenses and attorney’s fees of the INSPECTION COMPANY in defending said claims. 10. Severability: If any court having jurisdiction declares any provision of this Agreement to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect. 11. Entire Agreement: This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the PARTIES. No statement or promise made by the INSPECTION COMPANY or its respective officers, agents or employees shall be binding. CLIENT has carefully read the foregoing, understands it, and voluntarily agrees to it. ______________________________________________________________________________ CLIENT (Date)
Some Common Fungi and Yeasts
Absidia (Zygomycetes)
A common contaminant isolated from soil, air, stored grains, foods, and the indoor environment. Reported to be allergenic and a rare cause of human infection called zygomycosis.
Acremonium (Hyphomycetes) Naturally found in soils, decaying organic matter, and plant debris. Can be found in food and the indoor environment. Acremonium is a common allergen, can produce a trichothecene mycotoxin, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Agrocybe (Basidiomycetes)
Medium to large mushrooms growing in grassy areas, on wood mulch, and pine needles. Some species are edible.
Alternaria (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe found on decaying wood, decaying plants, food, soil, and outdoor air. Some species are plant pathogens. Indoors, it can be found in house dust, carpet, damp areas around showers and window frames, and anywhere condensation occurs. Because of its abundance and ubiquity, Alternaria is one of the most important fungal allergens and is recognized as the chief fungal cause of hay fever. Infection is extremely rare. Arthrinium (Hyphomycetes)
A cosmopolitan fungus isolated from plant debris and soil. Often isolated from air near grassy places, but rarely found indoors. Not reported to cause human or animal infection.
Arnium (Ascomycetes)
Most commonly isolated from dung. Not generally associated with human disease and is most often considered benign. Ascomycetes Constitutes the largest class of fungi characterized by the production of sexual spores in structures called asci. This includes plant pathogens, saprobes, and decomposers. With a few exceptions, most Ascomycetes do not grow in buildings and are seldom agents of wood rot. Ascomycetes are the perfect stages of molds like Aspergillus and Penicillium. At high levels, Ascomycetes spores may cause allergies. Since most Ascomycetes are plant pathogens, ascospores are common during the growing season of plants and rare during winter, such as those of the Ascomycetes genera: Daldinia, Hypoxylon, Paraphaeosphaeria, Phaeosphaeria, and Leptosphaeria.
Ascospores
Sexual spores produced by Ascomycetes.
Aspergillus (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Emericella (Ascomycetes), Eurotium (Ascomycetes) Found in soil, compost piles, decaying vegetation, stored grain, and other kinds of organic matter. Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings. A few species can cause aspergillosis in humans with compromised or defective immune systems. Most people are naturally immune to this infection of the lung. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of aspergillosis, followed by A. flavus and A. niger. Some species are able to produce mycotoxins, depending on the strain, substrate, and/or food source. Others species are used in the manufacture of food, such as A. oryzae or A. soyae for soy sauce. Aureobasidium (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe frequently isolated from soil, plant surfaces, seeds, grains, fruits and other food, human skin, and nails. Common indoors in humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, poorly maintained HVAC systems, and window frames. Allergies to Aureobasidium are common but infections are rarely reported.
Basidiomycetes
A class of fungi characterized by spores formed on basidia. Includes the mushrooms, toadstools, boletes, wood bracket fungi, and puffballs. Some species are edible, such as Agaricus bisporus, the commercially cultivated mushroom. A few species cause wood brown rot, white rot, and dry rot in buildings. Basidiospores
Sexual spores produced by Basidiomycetes.
Beauveria (Hyphomycetes)
Found in plant debris and soil. Some species are well known parasites of insects. It is also isolated from food materials and indoor environments. Bipolaris (Hyphomycetes) A common saprobe and plant pathogen frequently isolated from plant debris and soil. It is also a common cause of leaf spot on golf course turf. A few species are capable of causing disease in humans. Botrytis (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Sclerotinia (Ascomycetes) Most species are important plant pathogens, such as B. cinerea, which can cause gray mold disease on various plant parts. Can be found in food and indoor environment, particularly on plants, fruits, and vegetables. Cercospora (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Mycosphaerellaceae Widespread plant pathogens that cause leaf spot on many plants.
Chaetomium (Ascomycetes)
A common fungus in soils, dung, decaying organic matter, seeds, and wood or other cellulose-containing materials. Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings on sheet rock, wallpaper, and other paper products. It is a common cause of food spoilage. Some species are allergenic but rarely cause human infections. Chromelosporium Teleomorph: Peziza (Ascomycetes) Chrysonilia (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Neurospora (Ascomycetes) This genus is widespread; being found in food and indoors. Chrysonilia sitophila is popularly referred to as the red bread mold that occurs on breads, baked goods, meat, and fruits. Chrysosporium (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Various Ascomycetes A common soil saprobe occasionally isolated from human or animal skin and nail. Chrysosporium inops is xerophilic and occurs in food. Cladosporium (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Mycosphaerella (Ascomycetes) Widely distributed as plant pathogens and saprobes. It is the most frequently found fungus in outdoor air. Indoors, it usually occurs at low concentrations in damp or humid areas, but may be found in high concentrations in waterdamaged building materials. Its ability to sporulate heavily and to get airborne makes it an important fungal allergen. Frequently isolated as a contaminant in foods. Only occasionally associated with disease in humans; one species can cause chronic subcutaneous infection. Coelomycetes
An artificial class of fungi characterized by asexual spores that are produced within a cavity lined by fungal tissue or fungal and host tissues. Most are saprobes or pathogens on plants, fungi, and lichens.
Coprinus (Basidiomycetes)
These mushrooms are popularly referred to as the inky caps because their gills dissolve into a black inky fluid at maturity. Found on wood, dung, humus, and soil. Some species are edible. Curvularia (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Cochliobolus (Ascomycetes) A common saprobe found in soil, plants, cereals, and cellulosic materials such as paper and archives. Some species are plant pathogens but can also occur indoors. It is allergenic and may cause infections in immunocompromised people. Dicyma (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Ascotricha (Ascomycetes)
Doratomyces
A saprobe commonly found on decaying plant materials, straw, dung, wood, and in soil. It produces dark, sooty colonies. It has the ability to penetrate cellophane and to decompose cellulose. Doratomyces stemonitis is suspected to be the causal agent of “speck rot” on potatoes. Dreschlera (Hyphomycetes)
Mostly plant pathogens that cause leaf spot, seedling blight, leaf stripe, or net blotch.
Emericella (Ascomycetes)
Anamorph: Aspergillus (Hyphomycetes) Usually found in soil, potatoes, grain, citrus, and stored seeds. Can be found in food and the indoor environment. Emericella nidulans can produce a sterigmatocystin mycotoxin and can be pathogenic to man and animals.
Epicoccum (Hyphomycetes)
A cosmopolitan saprobe isolated from air, soil, grain, seeds, textiles, paper products, and food materials. Can be a plant pathogen, and is a common cause of leaf spots of various plants. Can be found in indoor environments, where it can grow under conditions of low humidity. It is a known allergen, and is occasionally isolated from human skin and sputum.
Eurotium (Ascomycetes) Anamorph: Aspergillus (Hyphomycetes) Can be found in stored food, fruit juices, grains, nuts, milled rice, spices, meat products, and peas. Also commonly occurs in indoor environments. Eurotium herbariorum may cause keratitis and indigestion in man. Exophiala (Hyphomycetes)
Widely distributed as a saprobe in soil, water, on plants and decaying wood. It is an occasional contaminant of feet and nails. Exophiala infections have also been reported in animals, including fish.
Fusarium (Hyphomycetes)
Soil-borne fungi containing many plant pathogens that cause root rot, stem rot, fruit rot, and vascular wilt. Common on commodities, such as rice, bean, soybean, and other crops. Some species are important mycotoxin producers, and others notably F. oxysporum, F. solani and F. moniliforme, are recognized as opportunistic pathogens of man and animals. The species that can produce three of the five internationally regulated mycotoxins are: Fusarium sp Habitat Trichothecenes Zearalenone Fumonisins
F. acuminatum Food Can produce - -
F. crookwellense Food Can produce Can produce -
F. culmorum Food, Indoor Can produce Can produce - F. equiseti Food Can produce Can produce - F. graminearum Food Can produce Can produce - F. poae Food Can produce - - F. proliferatum Food - - Can produce F. sambucinum Food Can produce - - F. semitectum Food - Can produce - F. sporotrichioides Food, Indoor Can produce - - F. verticillioides Food - - Can produce Ganoderma (Basidiomycetes) Large, very hard, woody bracket fungi that grow on living and dead trees. Some species are common on oaks, chestnuts, and conifers such as hemlock, spruce, and pine. Many species are being investigated for possible medicinal uses. Geotrichum (Ascomycetes Yeast) Teleomorph Dipodascus, Galactomyces (Ascomycetes) Commonly found in soil, water, air, decaying leaves, rotting paper, and textiles. Involved in spoilage of food like bakery products, dairy products, juices, fruits, and vegetables. Can be found in indoor environments with some species producing strong odors. Hyphomycetes A group of fungi in which asexual spores called conidia are produced from special conidiogenous cells. Helvella (Ascomycetes) A saddle-shaped fruiting body of a fungus found on soil, or sometimes on rotting wood. Occasionally found growing on soil under houses. Memnoniella (Hyphomycetes) Mainly isolated from soils and dead plant material in tropical countries but has also been isolated from indoor sources such as paper, wallpaper, and textiles. Exposure to this genus should be avoided as they can produce griseofulvins, a potentially toxic metabolite. Emerging research has proposed that Memnoniella species actually belong to Stachybotrys. Monodictys (Hyphomycetes)
Found on dead wood, stem, tree bark, damp linoleum, and paper. Isolated from soil and air.
Myxomycetes
Popularly called slime molds. These are not true fungi taxonomically. Some species are found in the soil, in decaying wood, or other organic matter, where they produce structures full of powdery resting spores. Mucor (Zygomycetes) Often found in soil, plants, hay, stored seeds, and manure. They can be found indoors in house dust, HVAC system dust, and poorly maintained carpets. They are rapid growers and can contaminate many kinds of stored food, including fruits and vegetables. A few species have been recovered from well-documented cases of zygomycosis. In general, infections due to members of this genus are rare. Nigrospora (Hyphomycetes) Some species are common on plants, particularly in the tropics. Occasionally isolated from soil, air, and foodstuffs. Paecilomyces (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Byssochlamys (Ascomycetes) A common saprobe found on dead plants and compost. Some species are insect parasites while others cause food spoilage. It is rarely a human pathogen but can cause infection in animals. However, some species, such as P. variotii, P. marquandii and P. lilacinus are emerging as causative agents of disease in immunocompromised individuals. Penicillium (Hyphomycetes)
Many species are common contaminants on a variety of substrates. May be found indoors in air samples, carpet dust, or on wallpaper. Some species are able to produce mycotoxins, as summarized below. Human pathogenic species are rare, only limited to P. marneffei, which causes disease in immunocompromised individuals. Some species are used for commercial production, such as P. chrysogenum for the antibiotic penicillin, P. griseofulvum for the antibiotic griseofulvin, and P. roquefortii for blue cheese. Penicillium Habitat Toxic Metabolite
P. aurantiogriseum Food, Indoor Can produce
P. brevicompactum Food, Indoor -
P. chrysogenum Food, Indoor - P. citrinum Food, (Indoor) Can produce P. commune Food, Indoor Can produce P. corylophilum Food, Indoor - P. crustosum Food Can produce P. digitatum Food - P. expansum Food Can produce P. funiculosum Food, Indoor - P. griseofulvum Food - P. olsonii Food, Indoor - P. oxalicum Food Can produce P. polonicum Food, Indoor Can produce P. roqueforti Food - P. rugulosum Food, Indoor - P. variabile Food, Indoor - P. verrucosum Food Can produce P. viridicatum Food Can produce Periconia (Hyphomycetes) A widespread fungus commonly found on various substrates, including stalks of grasses, herbaceous stems, dead leaves, or leaf spots. The spores of Periconia species are often indistinguishable from the spores of smut fungi like Ustilago species, when collected on air cassettes. Both genera can have spores that are brown, verruculose, or echinulate, ranging from 10-16 microns in diameter. Peziza (Ascomycetes) Anamorph: Chromelosporium Popularly referred to as cup fungi. They vary in size and color, but are mostly shades of ocher or brown to grayviolet. Most species are commonly found on old straw, compost, peat, leaf litter, rotting wood, damp soil, and other moist substrates. Can be found indoors in wet basements and wet carpets. Phialophora (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Ascomycetes Occurs in nature as a soft rot fungus on wood often causing a distinct blue stain. Can cause diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Phoma (Coelomycete) Found in soil and plant materials as saprobes. Will grow on a variety of materials such as butter, paint, cement, and rubber. Occasionally pathogenic to plants and humans, but infection from this fungus is extremely rare. Pithomyces (Hyphomycetes) This genus is common in soil and on dead or decaying plant materials. Requires high moisture level for spore germination. Can potentially produce cyclodepsipeptides, sporidesmolides, and sporidesmin. Rhinocladiella (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Capronia (Ascomycetes) Rhizopus (Zygomycete) Frequently isolated from soil and agricultural products, such as cereals and vegetables. Can cause infection in immunocompromised, malnourished or severely burned people. Rhodotorula (Yeast) A reddish yeast frequently isolated from air, soil, water, fruit juice, dairy products, and other substrates. Typically found as a saprobe in moist environments indoor such as carpeting, cooling coils, water tanks, humidifiers, and drain pans. Reported to be allergenic. Has been found to colonize terminally ill patients. Rusts Obligate parasitic fungi, which belong to Teliomycetes – Uredinales that cause plant diseases. Scopulariopsis (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Microascus (Ascomycetes) Mainly soil-borne, but also frequently isolated from wood, grain, fruit, paper, and food such as meat and dairy products. Also isolated from indoor environments. Most species can liberate arsenic gaseous compounds that can lead to arsenic poisoning. Has recently been associated with invasive human infections. Scytalidium (Hyphomycetes)
Isolated from wood and soil.
Serpula (Basidiomycete)
Wood-attacking fungi. Serpula lacrymans is popularly referred to as the dry rot fungus or house fungus. Smuts (Teliomycetes) Obligate parasites and pathogens of plants that cause smut on various plant parts such as Silene anthers, corn kernels, onion bulbs, and rice grains. Sordaria (Ascomycetes)
Common on dung. One species, S. fimicola is fairly common and is found on other substrates besides dung.
Sporobolomyces (Yeast)
Can be commonly detected in air samples. Frequently encountered indoors in water tanks, humidifiers, drain pans, etc. Sporoschisma (Hyphomycetes) Found on rotten wood and dead stems. Sporothrix (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Ophiostoma (Ascomycetes) Isolated from soil, live or dead plants, and peat moss. S. schenckii is an agent of human sporotrichosis, cutaneous infection, and ocular mycosis, usually in immunocompromised people. Sporotrichum (Hyphomycetes)
Teleomorph: Phanerochaete (Basidiomycetes) Can get airborne and be inhaled where it can form giant cells in the lungs. Stachybotrys (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprophyte found on many substrates like grains, decaying plant materials, textiles, and tobacco. Grows indoors on water-damaged cellulose rich materials, such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation backing, gypsum board, and wallpaper. The presence of this fungus can be significant due to its ability to produce mycotoxins under certain environmental conditions. Exposure to the toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin exposure. It is possible that Stachybotrys may play a role in the development of sick building syndrome, but probably only in conjunction with other factors. Until more information is available on the health risks of environmental exposure to Stachybotrys, caution should be taken when dealing with this fungus. Stemphylium (Hyphomycetes)
A common saprobe typically is found on dead plants and wood. It has been also isolated from air, paper, and cellulosic materials.
Syncephalastrum (Zygomycete)
Often isolated from soil and dung in tropical and subtropical regions. Can also be a persistent laboratory contaminant. Taeniolella (Hyphomycetes) Common on dead branches, wood, and senescent leaves. Was isolated from human cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions. Tetraploa (Hyphomycetes) Teleomorph: Massarina (Ascomycetes) Found on stems and leaf bases of many plants. Tetraploa aristata has been reported to cause keratitis. Thermomyces (Hyphomycetes)
A thermophilic fungus that grows rapidly at 40°C.
Torula (Hyphomycetes)
Cosmopolitan fungi commonly found on wood, leaves, plant roots, and plant litter. Has also been isolated from air and soil. Some species cause stains in hardwoods. Trichoderma (Hyphomycetes) Very common especially in soil and decaying wood, dead leaves, fallen timber, compost heaps, and activated sludge. Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings. Has occasionally been associated with disease in immunocompromised individuals. Trichophyton (Hyphomycetes) Some species are dermatophytes (growing on the skin) of humans or animals. Tritirachium (Hyphomycetes) A saprobe commonly isolated from decaying plant materials. Easily gets airborne. Can cause corneal ulcers. Ulocladium (Hyphomycetes) Found as a saprobe in soil, plant materials, rotten wood, paper, textiles and cellulose materials. Frequently collected in air and dust samples. Can grow indoors on water-damaged building materials. Has not been associated with disease in humans but can be very allergenic. Verticillium (Hyphomycetes) Mostly soilborne, root-inhabiting fungi that cause vascular wilt and other diseases on plants. Some species also infect mushrooms, rusts, and other fungi, as well as nematodes, ticks, mites and other insects. Other species can attack wool and textiles, or can decompose paper. Wallemia (Hyphomycetes) A very xerophilic fungus that has been isolated from soil, air, hay, textiles, and food such as jam, salted fish, and milk products. Can cause allergies. Yeast A growth form exhibited by some fungi in which the fungus exists as single budding cells. Zygomycetes A class of fungi where the asexual spores are mostly formed endogenously in sporangia. The majority of the species are saprobes. Definitions Allergen/allergenic An allergen is an antigen, principally a protein, which can elicit symptoms of allergic disease in a previously sensitized individual. This antigen is specifically recognized by the individual’s immune system, with subsequent development of specific antibody and/or cell mediated immunity. Fungi can elicit an allergic reaction ranging from mild to severe, anywhere from a stuffy nose, through hay fever and asthma to pneumonitis. In most cases, the physical condition of the host, the amount of allergen the host is exposed to (spores, fungal hyphae, dust, pollen, etc.) and the degree of sensitization of the individual determines the severity of the reaction. In general, common environmental or indoor air contaminating fungi most often affect humans as irritants that elicit an immune response that we generally associate with allergies (hypersensitivity). Anamorph The imperfect stage or asexual state of the fungus produced by mitosis. | |
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