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Geotrichum sp. - Aw (water activity) 0.90. Conidia (spores)
dimensions 6-12 x 3-6 microns. Aw (water activity) 0.90. A common
contaminant of grains, fruits, dairy products, paper, textiles, soil
and water, and often present as part of the normal human flora. The
species Geotrichum candidum can cause a secondary infection (geotrichosis)
in association with tuberculosis. This rare disease can cause
lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung, and intestine. |
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Mucor sp. - Often found in soil, dead plant material, horse dung,
fruits, and fruit juice. It is also found in leather, meat, dairy
products, animal hair, and jute. A Zygomycetes fungus which may be
allergenic (skin and bronchial tests) (7, 17). This organism and
other Zygomycetes will grow rapidly on most fungal media. 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.
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Nigrospora sp - Reported to be allergenic. |
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Paecilomyces sp - Commonly found in soil and dust, less frequently
in air. P. variotii can cause paecilomycosis. Linked to
wood-trimmers disease and humidifier associated illnesses. They are
reported to allergenic. Some members of this genus are reported to
cause pneumonia. It may produce arsine gas if growing on arsenic
substrate. This can occur on wallpapers covered with paris green. |
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Papulospora sp. - This fungi is found in soil, textiles, decaying
plants, manure, and paper. |
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Penicillium sp - Aw (water activity) 0.78 - 0.88. A wide number of
organisms have placed in this genera. Identification to species is
difficult. Often found in aerosol samples. Commonly found in soil,
food, cellulose, and grains (17, 5). It is also found in paint and
compost piles. It may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and
allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. It is reported to be
allergenic (skin) (7, 17). It is commonly found in carpet,
wallpaper, and in interior fiberglass duct insulation (NC). Some
species can produce mycotoxins. Common cause of extrinsic asthma
(immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include
edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary
emphysema.
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Periconia sp - No information available. |
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Phoma sp. - A common indoor air allergen. It is similar to the early
stages of growth of Chaetomium sp. The species are isolated from
soil and associated plants (particularly potatoes). Produces pink
and purple spots on painted walls (3, 17). It may have antigens
which cross-react with those of Alternaria sp. It will grow on
butter, paint, cement, and rubber. It may cause phaeohyphomycosis, a
systematic or subcutaneous disease. |
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Pithomyces sp. - Grows on dead grass in pastures. Causes facial
eczema in ruminants. |
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Rhizomucor sp. - The Zygomycetous fungus is reported to be
allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised
individuals. It occupies a biological niche similar to Mucor sp. It
is often linked to occupational allergy. The sites of infection are
the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have
multiple sites. |
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Rhizopus sp - The Zygomycetous fungus is reported to be allergenic.
It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. It
occupies a biological niche similar to Mucor sp. It is often linked
to occupational allergy. The sites of infection are the lung, nasal
sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple sites. |
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Rhodotorula sp - A reddish yeast typically found in moist
environments such as carpeting, cooling coils, and drain pans. In
some countries it is the most common yeast genus identified in
indoor air. This yeast has been reported to be allergenic. Positive
skin tests have been reported. It has colonized in terminally ill
patients. |
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Sporotrichum sp - Reported to be allergenic. See also Sporothrix sp.
as there is some taxonomic confusion between these two genera. This
genera does not cause sporotrichosis. |
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Stachybotrys sp. - Aw (water activity) - 0.94, optimum Aw (water
activity) - >0.98. Several strains of this fungus (S. atra, S.
chartarum and S. alternans are synonymous) may produce a
trichothecene mycotoxin- Satratoxin H - which is poisonous by
inhalation. The toxins are present on the fungal spores. This is a
slow growing fungus on media. It does not compete well with other
rapidly growing fungi. The dark colored fungi grows on building
material with a high cellulose content and a low nitrogen content.
Areas with relative humidity above 55% and are subject to
temperature fluctuations are ideal for toxin production. Individuals
with chronic exposure to the toxin produced by this fungus reported
cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue,
dermatitis, intermittent local hair loss, and generalized malaise.
The toxins produced by this fungus will suppress the immune system
affecting the lymphoid tissue and the bone marrow. Animals injected
with the toxin from this fungus exhibited the following symptoms:
necrosis and hemorrhage within the brain, thymus, spleen, intestine,
lung, heart, lymph node, liver, and kidney. The mycotoxin is also
reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen. Affects by absorption
of the toxin in the human lung are known as pneumomycosis. This
organism is rarely found in outdoor samples. It is usually difficult
to find in indoor air samples unless it is physically disturbed. The
spores are in a gelatinous mass. Appropriate media for the growth of
this organism will have a high cellulose content and a low nitrogen
content. The spores will die readily after release. The dead spores
are still allergenic and toxigenic. Percutaneous absorption has
caused mild symptoms. |
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Stemphylium sp. - Reported to be allergenic. Isolated from dead
plants and cellulose materials. |
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Syncephalastrum sp. - Can cause a respiratory infection
characterized by a solid fungal ball. |
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Trichoderma sp - It is commonly found in soil, dead trees, pine
needles, paper, and unglazed ceramics. It often will grow on other
fungi. It produces antibiotics which are toxic to humans. It has
been reported to be allergenic (7, 17). It readily degrades
cellulose. |
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Trichophyton sp - Can cause ring worm, athlete's foot, skin, nail,
beard, and scalp (5, 6). Reported to be allergenic. Found on soil
and skin. |
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Ulocladium sp - Has an Aw (water activity) of 0.89. Isolated from
dead plants and cellulose materials. Found on textiles. |
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Verticillium sp - Conidia (spores) dimensions 2.3-10 x 1-2.6
microns. Found in decaying vegetation, on straw, soil, and
arthropods. A rare cause of corneal infections. |
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Wallemia sp - Has an Aw (water activity) of 0.75. Conidia (spores)
dimensions 2.5-3.5 microns. Found in sugary foods, salted meats,
dairy products, textiles, soil, hay, and fruits. |
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Yeast - Various yeasts are commonly identified on air samples. Some
yeasts are reported to be allergenic. They may cause problems if a
person has had previous exposure and developed hypersensitivity.
Yeasts may be allergenic to susceptible individuals when present in
sufficient concentrations.
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