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| Absidia
sp. -
A zygomycete fungus which is considered common to the indoor
environment. 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. Absidia cormbifera has been an invasive infection
agent in AIDS and neutropenic patients, as well as, agents of
bovine mycotic abortions, and feline subcutaneous abscesses.
Acremonium species may be confused with Fusarium species that
primarily produce microconidia in culture. Fusarium genera are
generally much more rapid growers and produce more aerial mycelium. |
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| Acremonium
sp. (Cephalosporium sp.) - Reported
to be allergenic. Can produce a trichothecene toxin which is
toxic if ingested. It was the primary fungus identified in at
least two houses where the occupant complaints were nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. Asexual state of Emericellopsis sp.,
Chaetomium sp., and Nectripsis sp. It can produce mycetomas,
infections of the nails, onychomycosis, corneal ulcers, eumycotic
mycetoma, endophthalmitis, meningitis, and endocarditis. |
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| Acrodontium salmoneum - Reported to be a fairly
common airborne fungus and is considered to be allergenic. Can produce a
trichothecene toxin which is toxic if ingested. It was the primary fungus
identified in at least two houses where the occupant complaints were nausea,
vomiting, and diarrhea. It can produce mycetomas, infections of the nails,
onychomycosis, corneal ulcers, eumycotic mycetoma, endophthalmitis, meningitis,
and endocarditis. It is the asexual state of Emericellopsis sp., Chaetomium
sp., and Nectripsis sp. |
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| Alternaria sp. - 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. The species Alternaria alternata
is capable of producing tenuazonic acid and other toxic metabolites
which may be associated with disease in humans or animals. Alternaria
produces large spores having sizes between 20 - 200 microns
in length and 7 - 18 microns in width, suggesing that the spores
from this fungi are deposited in the nose, mouth, and upper
respiratory tract. 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. |
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| Aphanoascus
fulvescens - Extremely widespread in soil,
animal skin scrapings, and dung. Is often associated with birds
nests and feathers. Should be considered an allergen. This fungus
has also been documented in skin infections. No toxic related
diseases are of record to date. |
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| Apophysomyces
elegans - Extremely widespread in soil and decaying
vegetation. Should be considered an allergen. This fungus has
also been documented in various zygomycosis including necrotizing
fascitis, osteomyelitis, and angioinvasion. Most cases are acquired
through the tramatic implantation of the fungus. No toxic related
diseases are of record to date. |
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| Arthrinium
phaeospermum - Widespread saprophyte
on dead plant material, particularly swampy grasses. Should
be considered an allergen. This fungus has also been documented
in various subcutaneous infections. No toxic related diseases
are of record to date. |
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| Arthrographis
spp. - Extremely widespread in
soil and decaying vegetation. Arthrographis cuboidea and A.
kalrae should be considered to be allergens. A kalrae has been
documented in onychomycosis and has been recovered from the
skin, nails, and respiratory sites but has not been established
as an etiological agent. No toxic related diseases are of record
to date. |
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| Ascomycete.
- One of the major classes of fungal organisms. This class contains
the the"sac fungi" and yeasts. Some ascomycete spores can be
identified by spore morphology, however; some care should be
excersised with regard to specific identification. Many ascomycete
spores are reported to be allergenic. |
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Aspergillus
sp. - A genus of fungi containing approximately
150 recognized species. Members of this genus have been recovered
from a variety of habitats, but are especially common as saprophytes
on decaying vegetation, soils, stored food, feed products
in tropical and subtropical regions. Some species are parasitic
on insects, plants and animals, including man. Species within
this genus have reported Aw's (water activities) between 0.75
- 0.82. All of the species contained in this genus should
be considered allergenic. Various Aspergillus species are
a common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity:
type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms.
Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Members of
this genus are reported to cause a variety of opportunistic
infections of the ears and eyes. Sever pulmonary infections
may also occur. Many species produce mycotoxins which may
be associated with disease in humans and other animals. Toxin
production is dependent on the species or a strain within
a species and on the food source for the fungus. Some of these
toxins have been found to be carcinogenic in animal species.
Several toxins are considered potential human carcinogens.
Aspergillus alliaceus- This species is not commonly reported
from nature and is not considered common to indoor environments.
It has been isolated from soils in desert areas, grassland
or cultivated soils, cacti, onion, and garlic bulbs. This
fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive
diseases have been documented to date.
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| Aspergillus auricomus- This species was originally
isolated from an aqueous solution of potassium iodidie. It has also been
isolated from cottonseed in Arizona. This species is not considered common
to indoor environments. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No
toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus caespitosus - This species is not
considered common to indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated
from soils but has also been isolated from sugarcane bagesse. This fungus
should be considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been
documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus caesiellus - This species is not
considered common to indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated
from soils. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic diseases
have been documented to date. This species has been reported as an opportunistic
pathogen. |
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| Aspergillus candidus - This species considered
common to indoor environments. It occurs predominantely in tropical and
subtropical regions in stored foods and feedstuffs such as wheat, corn,
barely, sorghum, rice, peanuts, dried macaroni and spaghetti, refrigerated
dough products, and flour. It has also been isolated from soils. It has
an Aw (water activity) of 0.75 and Conidia (spores) dimensions 2.5-4 microns.
This fungus should be considered allergenic. This species has been reported
as an opportunistic pathogen including onychomycosis, otomycosis, and invasive
aspergillosis. It has also been reported to produce the toxin petulin which
may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. |
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| Aspergillus carbonarius - This distinctive species
has not been commonly reported. It has been isolated from mud and wood in
mangrove swamps, soil, and polluted water. This species is not considered
common to indoor environments. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus carneus - This species is not considered
common to indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated from tropical
and subtropical soils. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic
diseases have been documented to date. This species has been reported as
an opportunistic pathogen. |
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| Aspergillus cervinus - This species has not
been commonly reported. It has been isolated from tropical rainforest soils
in Malaya, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Wisconsin, and India. This species
is not considered common to indoor environments. This fungus should be considered
allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus clavatus - This distinctive species
is a common soil fungus with widespread distribution in soils in warmer
climates. It also is quite widely distributed in some kinds of foods, especially
cereals. This species is not considered common to indoor environments, however;
it has been frequently associated with the brewing industry. This fungus
should be considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been
documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus deflectus - This species is not
considered common to indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated
from tropical and subtropical soils. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
No toxic diseases have been documented to date. This species has been reported
as an opportunistic pathogen. |
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| Aspergillus flavipes - This species may be recovered
from indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated from tropical
and subtropical soils and decaying vegetation, however; it has also been
isolated from deteriorated cotton fabric. This fungus should be considered
allergenic. No toxic diseases have been documented to date. This species
has been reported as an opportunistic pathogen associated with cutaneous
aspergillosis and osteomyelitis. |
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| Aspergillus flavus - This species may be recovered
from the indoor environment. It has worldwide distribution but is predominantly
a tropical to subtropical fungus apparently more common in cultivated than
uncultivated soil. It colonizes on decaying vegetation, crop seeds and many
other substrates. It grows on moldy corn and peanuts and can also be found
in other foods and dairy products. It has been reported in water damaged
carpets. It has also been reported as an insect and animal pathogen. This
fungus has an Aw (water activity) of 0.78. and conidia (spores) dimensions
3-6 microns or 3-5 microns. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
Its presence has been associated with reports of asthma. Approximately 50%
of the 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 also a human carcinogen. The production of
the fungal toxin is dependent on the growth conditions and on the substrate
used as a food source. The toxin is poisonous to humans by ingestion and
may directly affect the liver. Experiments have indicated that it is teratogenic
and mutagenic. This fungus may also result in disease via inhalation and
is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or disseminated aspergillosis.
This fungus is occasionally identified as the cause of corneal, otomycotic,
and nasoorbital infections. |
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| Aspergillus foetidus - This species is not commonly
reported from nature and is not considered common to indoor environments.
It has been used in several industrial processes including koji for shochu
and enzyme production. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic
or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus fumigatus - This species may be
recovered from the indoor environment. It has worldwide distribution and
grows over a wide range of temperatures. It has been recovered from soils,
plants, seeds, sludge, wood chips, compost, cotton, and penguin excreta.
It is commonly found outdoors in compost piles with temperatures higher
than 40 degrees C, in mild to warm soils and on cereals. This fungus has
an Aw (water activity) of 0.82 with an optimum > 0.97. Conidia (spores)
have dimensions of 2-3.5 microns. This fungus should be considered allergenic,
however; it should be considered as a principle cause for both invasive
and allergic aspergillosis. This organisms will particularly affect individuals
who are immune compromised. It is considered a true human pathogen. No toxic
diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus japonicus - This species is not
commonly reported from nature and is not considered common to indoor environments.
It has been isolated from subtropical and tropical soils and also submerged
organic debris. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic or
invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus kanagawaensis - This species is
not commonly reported from nature and is not considered common to indoor
environments. It has been isolated from soils in hemlock and jack pine forest
in Wisconsin. Has also been isolated from soils in Japan. This fungus should
be considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented
to date. |
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| Aspergillus glaucus - This species may be recovered
from the indoor environment. It has widespread distribution in subtropical
regions. It has been recovered in nature from soils and on plants. This
fungus can grow at low moisture levels and has also been isolated from grains,
sugary food products, meat, wool, dried foods, and leather. It has been
reported as a common outdoor fungus in the winter. The conidia (spores)
for this fungus have dimensions of 5-6.5 microns and is the imperfect stage
of the ascomycetous fungus Eurotium sp. It is reported to be allergenic.
This species is only occasionally pathogenic and has been associated with
sinusitis, otitis, cerebral, orofacial, and pulmonary infections. No toxic
diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus nidulans - This species is not considered
common to indoor environments. It has been frequently isolated from tropical
and subtropical soils but less frequently from other areas. This fungus
has an Aw (water activity) of 0.78 with conidia (spores) having dimensions
of 2-4 microns. It is reported to be allergenic. This species has been reported
in a variety of animal and human infections including invasive and systemic
disease including aspergillosis of the lungs and/or disseminated aspergillosis.
It can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocysti that has been shown to produce
liver and kidney damage in lab animals. |
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| Aspergillus niger - 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 foods. It has a musty odor.
It is commonly found in the environment on textiles, in soils, grains, fruits
and vegetables isolated from tropical and subtropical soils but less frequently
from other areas. This fungus has an Aw (water activity) of 0.77 with an
optimum > 0.97 . Conidia (spores) have dimensions of 3.5 - 5 microns
or 4 to 5 microns. It is reported to be allergenic. It is common in secondary
organisms following bacterial otitis and is more commonly being implicated
in pulmonary disease in immunocompromised hosts. It has also been reported
to cause skin infections. |
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| Aspergillus niveus - This species is not considered
common to indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated from soils
and appears to be widely distributed. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus ochraceus - This species is considered
common to indoor environments. It is widespread in cultivated soils, but
has also been documented in uncultivated soils, grains, and salted food
products. It is not usually associated with decaying vegetation. This fungus
has an Aw (water activity) of 0.77 with conidia (spores) having dimensions
of 2.5 - 3 microns. It is reported to be allergenic. It has not been reported
as causing any invasive disease to date. This fungus can also produce ochratoxin
A, which may produce ochratoxicosis in humans. This is also known as Balkan
nephropathy, a disorder that affects the kidneys. The toxin is produced
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 which can be produced by this fungus include penicillic
acid, xanthomegnin and viomellein. These are all reported to be kidney and
liver toxins. |
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| Aspergillus oryzae - This species may be considered
common to some indoor environments. It has been predominantly isolated from
soils, vegetative plant parts, seeds, and cotton fabrics. It is also used
in food fermentations, in the production of saki, shoyu, miso, and soy sauce,
and as a source of industrial enzymes. This fungus should be considered
allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus ostianus - This species is not considered
common to indoor environments. It has been isolated from animal feed, chicory
seed, and gram seed storage. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus paradoxus - This species is considered
a very uncommon species that is not considered typical of indoor environments.
It has been isolated from opossum dung and soil. This fungus should be considered
allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus parasiticus - This species is not
considered common to indoor environments. It has been isolated from cultivated
soils. Lack of reported isolations may be due in part to the failure of
investigators to differentiate A. parasiticus from A. flavus. It has been
isolated more frequently from seeds, other plants, and insects. This fungus
should be considered allergenic. No invasive diseases have been documented
to date. 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
teratogenic and mutagenic. It is toxic to the liver. The production of the
fungal toxin is dependent on the growth conditions and on the substrate
used as a food source. |
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| Aspergillus penicilloides - This species is
not generally considered common to indoor environments, however; this may
be related to its xerophyilic nature (can grow in areas with low water activity)
and that it grows very poorly on usual laboratory media. Therefore, it may
often be overlooked in typical investigations. Reports in the literature
are quite rare, however, if suitable media are used, the species can be
recovered in large numbers from a variety of dried foods, house dust, spices,
and cereals. This fungus should be considered allergenic. It has also been
reported as an opportunistic pathogen. No toxic diseases have been documented
to date. |
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| Aspergillus puniceus - This species is not commonly
reported from nature and is not considered common to indoor environments.
It has been isolated from soils. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus restrictus - This species is not
generally considered common to indoor environments, however; this may be
related to its slow growing nature. Therefore, it may often be overlooked
in typical investigations. It has been isolated from a variety of subtrates
including soil, cotton goods and fruit juices, and from air. This fungus
should be considered allergenic. It has also been reported as an opportunistic
pathogen and associated with endocarditis, onychomycosis, and pulmonary
aspergillosis. No toxic diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus sclerotiorum - This species is not
considered common to indoor environments. It has been isolated from tropical
and subtropical soils. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic
or invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus sojae - This species is not considered
common to indoor environments. To date, it has only been isolated from koji
fermentations. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic or
invasive diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus sparsis - This species is not considered
common to both outdoor or indoor environments. It has been isolated from
soil. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive
diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus sydowi - This species has worldwide
distribution. Its primary habitat is the soil, but it has been reecovered
from a variety of other substrates. Found in warmer soil and in grains,
straw, cotton, and decomposing vegetation. It appears to be less common
in foods than A. versicolor. This fungus should be considered allergenic.
This fungus is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or disseminated
aspergillosis otomycosis (ear infection) and onychomycosis (infection of
finger or toe nails). This fungus can produce the toxins patulin and citrinin
which may be associated with disease in humans and other animals. |
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Aspergillus tamarii - This species is not considered
common to both outdoor or indoor environments. It was originally isolated
from tamari sauce. It is fairly common soil fungus and has been isolated
from seeds of various crops and other substrates. This fungus should be
considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented
to date.
Aspergillus terreus - This fungus has worldwide distribution in soils, but
is more abundant in tropical and subtropical regions rather than temperate
regions. It is also common in cultivated soils and forests than grasslands.
It is common in stored crops and has been isolated from other foodstuffs.
It should be considered allergenic. Invasive bronchopulmonary aspergillosis,
onychomycosis, cutaneous, ophthalmic, and disseminated mycosis have been
documented. No toxic or invasive diseases have been documented to date.
Aspergillus unguis - This species is not considered common but have been
isolated from a variety of substrates including man, shoe leather, and sesame
seeds. This fungus should be considered allergenic. No toxic or invasive
diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus ustus - This species is not considered
common in habitats other than tropical or subtropical soils. This fungus
should be considered allergenic. This species is only occasionally pathogenic
and has been associated with otitis media, burns, and disseminated infections.
No toxic diseases have been documented to date. |
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| Aspergillus versicolor - This is a widely distributed
fungus commonly found in soil, hay, cotton, dairy products, dried cereals,
nuts, and especially spices. It is often considered to be one of the most
widely distributed species of Aspergillus. This fungus should be considered
allergenic. This species is pathogenic and has been associated with onychomycosis
and invasive aspergillosis. It can produce a mycotoxin sterigmatocystin
and cyclopiaxonic acid. These toxins can cause diarrhea and upset stomach.
It is also reported to be a kidney and liver carcinogen. |
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| Aspergillus wentii - This species is considered
common with its main distribution in tropical or subtropical soils. It has
also been isolated from plant litter and seeds. This fungus should be considered
allergenic. This species is only occasionally pathogenic and has been associated
with otitis media, burns, and disseminated infections. No toxic diseases
have been documented to date. |
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| Aureobasidium pullulans- 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, pulmaonary
infection, and invasive disease in AIDS patients. Probably aquired by traumatic
implantation. May be recovered as a contaminant from human cutaneous sites.
No toxic diseases have been documented to date. |
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