glossary

Acremonium sp - Reported to be allergenic. Can produce a tricothecene toxin which is toxic if ingested. It can produce mycetomas, infections of the nails, onchomycosis, corneal ulcers, eumycotic mycetoma, endophtalmitis, meningitis and endocarditis.

Alternaria sp - Extremely widespread and ubiquitous. It is often found in carpets, textiles and on horizontal surfaces inside buildings, usually window frames. It is capable of producing tenuazonic acid and other toxic metabolites which can be associated with disease in humans. It may be related to "Bakers Asthma" also.
Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases can develop pulmonary emphysema.

Aspergillus Flavus - This fungus should be considered allergenic. Its presence has been associated with reports of asthma. It is usually reported in water damaged materials and produces Aflatoxin which is reported to be a human carcinogen. The fungal toxin is poisonous to humans by ingestion and can directly affect the liver. It has also been shown in experiments to be teratogenic and mutagenic.
This fungus can also result in disease via inhalation and has been linked to aspergillosis of the lungs.
Less commonly identified with corneal, otomycotic and naseorbital infections.

Aspergillus Fumigatus -This fungus should be considered allergenic and as a principle cause for invasive and allergic aspergillosis,This fungus will particularly affect those who with low immune systems. It is considered a true human pathogen, although no toxic diseases have been reported to date.

Aspergillus Niger - This has a very musty odor associated with it. It is common in secondary organisms following bacterial otitis and is more commonly associated with pulmonary disease in immunocomprimised people, reports of skin infections also associated with this fungus.

Aspergillus Sydowi - This should be considered allergenic, it is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs, aspergillosis otomycosis (ear infections) and onchomycosis (finger and toe infections). It also produces the toxins patulin and citrinin which can be associated with diseases in humans.

Aspergillus Versicolor - This fungus should be considered allergenic and pathogenic. It has been associated with onchomycosis (finger and toe infection) and invasive aspergillosis.
It produces a toxin called sterigmatocystin and cyclopiaxonic acid, these toxins cause diarrhea and a very upset stomach. In larger doses it can be a kidney and liver carcinogen.

Aspergillus Wentii - This fungus should be considered allergenic, and is occasionally pathogenic. It has been associated with otitis media, burns and infections. No toxins reported to date.

Bipolaris sp - This fungus produces large spores which can be found in the upper respiratory tract. Certain species of this fungus can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin which is known to produce liver and kidney damage.

Cladosporum sp - This is a common indoor allergen and will be found in higher numbers in the summer. It is usually found on decaying materials and is commonly found on the fibreglass lining in HVAC systems.
It can cause mycosis and is the common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases can lead to pulmonary emphysema.

Fusarium sp - Often found in humidifiers, several species of this can produce very potent tricothecene toxins. These toxins can target the circulatory, skin and nervous systems. Symptoms can appear through the inhalation of the spores. It has also been known to cause toxic aleukia in humans. Usually characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermititis and major internal bleeding. Allergenic and frequently linked with eye, skin and nail infections.

Microsporum - Causes ringworm in humans

Paecilomyces sp- Usually linked to humidifier related illnesses. Allergenic and reported to cause pnuemonia. Also known to produce arsine gas if growing on an arsenic based material.

Penicillium sp - Can cause pneumonitis and allergic alveolitis in humans.It is allergenic and commonly found on water damaged materials and in fibreglass lined HVAC systems. Can produce mycotoxins. Common cause of extrinsic asthma.

Rhizopus sp - It can cause mucorosis and is often linked to occupational allergy. Infections are usually found in the lungs, sinus, brain, eye, and skin.

Stachybotrys sp - Produces a toxin Satrotoxin H that is poisonous by inhalation, the toxins can be present on the fungal spores. It is a slow growing fungus and does not compete well with other fungi. It prefers a high cellulose content and low nitrogen to grow in. Areas that are above 55% relative humidity and that are subject to temperature fluctuations will be ideal for the toxin production.
Chronic exposure to the toxin have reported :- sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, hair loss, and general flu like symptoms. The toxins produced by this fungus will suppress the immune system affecting the lymphoid tissue and bone marrow. Absorption of the toxin into the lung are known as pneumomycosis.
It is very difficult to identify indoors unless it is physically disturbed. The spores die quickly after disruption but the dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic.

Trichoderma sp - It produces antibiotics that are toxic to humans. It will often grow on other fungi and is allergenic.