Cladosporium

Commonly found on dead plants, wood plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Reported to be allergenic.

Stachybotrys

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. 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. 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. The spores will die readily after release. The dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic.

Chaetomium

Commonly found on a variety of substances containing cellulose including paper and plant compost. It can readily be found on the damp or water damaged paper in sheet rock. Should be considered allergenic. The thermpohilic, neurotropic nature of this organism suggests it is a potentially aggressive pathogen. No toxic diseases have been documented to date.

Penicillium

Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose and grains. 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. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Alternaria

Extremely widespread and ubiquitous. Outdoors it may be isolated from samples of soil, seeds and plants. It is commonly found in outdoor samples. It is often found in carpets, textiles and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors. Often found on window frames. It may be related to bakers asthma. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumoniti, sinusitis, deratomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, and invasive infection. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Fusarium

A common soil fungus. It is found on a wide variety of plants. The fungus has also been found in humidifiers. Symptoms may occur either through ingestion of contaminated foods or inhalation of spores. In severe cases, the fungus can produce hemorrhagic syndrome in humans. This is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis and extensive internal bleeding. Reported to be an allergenic. Frequently involved in eye, skin and nail infections.

Stemphyllium

Isolated from dead plants, cellulose material, soil and common air samples in the late summer and fall. Certain species can occur as leaf-spotting parasites of hosts such as tomatoes and other plants. Reported to be allergenic. Often the cause of sinusitis, hay fever and asthma. Can also cause keratomycosis, skin infections, osteomyelitis, pulmonary disease and nasal septum infections.

Ulocladium

Reported to be allergenic. Isolated from dead plants, cellulose materials and textiles. Causes type II allergies (hay fever, flu like symptoms).

Botrytis

It is parasitic on plants, vegetables and soft fruits but may also be found in soil. Reported to be allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date.

Curvularia

Reported to be allergenic. It may cause corneal infections, mycetoma and infections in immune compromised hosts.

Epiccocum

A common allergen found in plants, soil, grains, textiles and paper products. Secondary invader of damaged plant tissue. Common cause of type I allergies (hay fever, asthma). No cases of infection have been reported in humans or animals.

Nigrospora

Rarely found growing indoors. Often found on decaying plant material and soil. Reported to be allergenic. Common causes of type I allergies (hay fever, asthma).

Geotrichum

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.

Rhizomucor/Mucor

This fungus is reported to be allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. The sites of infection are the lungs, sinus, brain, eye and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Rhizopus

This fungus is reported to be allergenic. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. It is often linked to occupational allergy. The sites of infection are the lung, nasal sinus, eye and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Aureobasidium

A cosmopolitan fungus with the main habitat apparently on the aerial parts of plants. Frequently found in moist environments. This fungus should be considered allergenic. This species has been associated with deratitis, peritonitis, pulmonary infection and invasive diseases in aids patients. Probably acquired by traumatic implantation. May be recovered as a contaminant from human cutaneous sites. No toxic diseases have been documented to date.

Rhodotorula

Rhodotorula is commonly identified in indoor air samples. Rhodotorula is reported to be allergenic. They can cause problems if a person has had previous exposure and developed hypersensitivity. Yeast can be allergenic to susceptible individuals when present in sufficient concentrations.

Bipolaris

A widespread fungus that is most frequently associated with grasses, plant material and soil. Should be considered allergenic. Has also been reported as an infrequent agent of phaeohyphomycosis, particularly fungal sinusitis. It can occasionally cause a corneal infection of the eye.

Pithomyces

Grows on dead grass and plants. Prolonged exposure can cause facial eczema. Reported to be allergenic. Causes type II allergies (hay fever type symptoms, asthma).

Periconia

Most commonly identified outdoor fungi. The outdoor numbers reduce in winter. Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoors. It is a common allergen. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. A wide variety of plant life are food sources for this fungus. It is found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil and textiles. Common cause of extrinsic asthma. Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Trichoderma

It is commonly found in soil, dead trees, pine needles, paper and unglazed ceramics. It often will grow on other fungi. It produces antibiotics that are toxic to plants. It has been reported to be allergenic. It readily degrades cellulose.

Aspergillus

This species is considered common to indoor environments. It is widespread in the soil and on plants and is also considered a common contaminant of food. It has a musty odor. It is reported to be allergenic. It is commonly being implicated in pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts. It has also been reported to cause skin infections.