MOLD GLOSSARY

Absidia sp. - A zygomycete funds which is considered common to the indoor environment.
Reported to be allergenic. May cause mucorisis 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 meiotic 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 glowers and produce more aerial mycelium.

Acremonium sp. (Cephalosporium sp.) - Reported to be allergenic. Can produce a trichothecene
toxin which is toxic if ingested. It was the primal fungus identified in at least two houses where the
occupant complaints were nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Asexual state of Emericellopsis so,
Chaetomium sp., and Nectripsis sp. It can produce mycetomas, infections of the nails,
onychomycosis corneal ulcers, eumycotic mycetoma, endophthalmitis, meningitis and endocarditis.

Alternaria sp . - Extremely widespread and ubiquitous. Outdoors it may be isolated from
samples of soil, seeds and plants. 11 is commonly found in outdoor samples. It is open found in
carpets, textiles and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors. Often found on window frames.
The species Alternaria alternate 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, suggesting
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 it hypersensitivity pheumoniti, sinusitis,
deratomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis and invasive section. Common
cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type 1). Acute symptoms include
edema and bronchiospasams, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Arthrinium Phaeospermum - widespread saprophyte on dead plant material, particularly
swampy grasses. Should be considered an allergen. This fungus also been documented in various
subcutaneous infections. No toxic related diseases are of record to date.

Ascomycete - One of the major classes of legal organisms. This class contains the iliac ANSI's
and yeasts. Some ascomycete spores can be identified by spore morphology, however, some
care should be exercised with regard to specific identification. Many ascomycete spores are
reposed to be allergenic.

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 foods feed products in tropical and semitropical
regions. Some species are parasitic on insect’s plants and animals, including man.  Species within
this genus have reposed Al's (water activities) between 0.75 - 0.82. A11 of the species contained
in this genus should be considered allergenic. Various Aspergillus species are a common cause of
extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: tie 1). Acute symptoms include edema and
bronchiospasams. Chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Members of this genus are
reported to cause a variety of opportunistic infections of the ears and eyes. Several 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 gin
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.

Aureobasidium pullulans - A cosmopolitan funds in the main habitat apparently on the aerial
pass 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 disease 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.

Basidiomycetes - One of the major classes of fungal organisms. This class contains the
mushrooms, shelf fungi puffballs and a variety of other marrying. It is extremely discuss to identify
a specific genera of mushrooms by using standard culture plate techniques. Some basidiomycete
spores can be identified by spore morphology, however, some care should be exercised with
regard to specific identification. Many basidiomycete spores are reposed to
be allergenic.

Biopolaris sp. - A widespread funds that is most frequently associated with grasses, plant
material, decaying food and son. 11 is common to both indoor and outdoor environments. Older
obsolete names include Drecheslera and Helminthosporium. This fungus produces large spores
which would be expected to be deposited in the upper respirator tract. Various species of this
funds can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin, which has been show to
produce liver and kidney damage when ingested by laboratory animals.

Candida sp. - This genus contains a variety of organisms that have been
isolated from the environment, as well as human skin and mucous
membranes.

Chaetomium sp. - Large ascomycetous funds producing perithecia. It is
found on a variety of substrates conferring cellulose including paper and plant
compost. If can be readily found on the damp or water damaged paper in
sheetrock.

Chrysosporium sp. - widespread, common in the soil and on plants.
Rare agents of onychomycosis, skin lesions, endocarditis and uncommon
agents of the pulmonary meiosis adiaspiromycosis. No toxic diseases have
been documented to date.

Cladosporium sp. (Hormodendrum so.) - Aw (water active) in the range of 0.84 to 0.88. Most
commonly idealized outdoor funds. The outdoor numbers are reduced in the inlet. The numbers
axe often high in the summer. Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoor numbers. 11 is a
common allergen. Indoor Cladosporium sp. May be deepest than the species
identified outdoors. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of
supply ducts. A wide variety of plants are food sources for this fungus. It is found on dead plants
woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles. It can cause meiosis. Produces greater than 10
antigens. Antigens in commercial extracts are of variable quality and may degrade within weeds of
preparation. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type
hypersensitivity: type 1). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasams, chronic cases
may develop pulmonary emphysema.

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

Dreschiera sp. - comes (spores dimensions 40-120 x 17-28 microns. Found on grasses, grains
and decaying food. It can occasionally cause a corneal infection of the eye.

Epicoccum sp. - Conidia (spores) dimensions 15-25 microns. A common allergen. It is found in
plants, soil, grains, textiles and paper products.

Fusarium sp. - Aw (water activity) 0.90. A common soil funds. It is found on a wide range of
plants. It is open found in humidifiers. Several species in this genus can produce potent
trichothecene toxins (5, of). The trichothecene (scirpene) toxin targets the following systems:
circulated, alimentary, skin and nerves. Produces vomitoxin on grains during unusually dump
groans conditions. Symptoms may occur either through ingestion of contaminated grains or
possibly inhalation of spores. The genera can produce hemorrhagic syndrome in humans
(alimentary toxic aleukia). This is characterized by nausea, vomiting, dermatitis and extensive
internal bleeding. Reposed to be allergenic. Frequently involved in eye, skin and nail infections.

Geotrichum sp. - Aw (water activity) 0.90. Conidia (spores) dimensions 612 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 tie normal human flora. The species Geotrichum candidum
can cause a secondary infection (Geotrichosis) in association with tuberculosis. This raze disease
can cause lesions of the skin, bronchi, mouth, lung and intestine.

Mucor SP. - Often found in soil, dead plant material, horse dung, fruits and fruit juice. It is also
found in leather, meat, dais products, animal hair and jute. A Zygomycetes funds which may be
allergenic (skin and bronchial gestalt, of). This organism and other Zygomycetes will grow rapidly
on most fungal media. May cause mucorisis in immune compromised individuals.
The sites of ejection are the lung, nasal sinus, brainy eye and skin. Infection may have multiple sites.

Nigrospora sp. - reposed to be allergic.

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 be allergenic. Some members of this genus are reported to cause pneumonia. It may
produce arsine gas growing on arsenic substrate. This can occur on wallpapers covered with paris
green.

Papulospora sp. - This fungi is found in soil, textiles, decaying plants, manure and paper.

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 found in paint and compost piles. It may cause grains (17, 5). It is also
hypersensitivity pnesumonitis 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 1). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasams,
chromic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Rhizopus sp. - The Zygomycetous fungus is reposed to be allergic. It may cause mucorisis in
immune compromised individuals. It occupies a biological niche similar to Mucor sp. If is open
lived to occupational allergy. The sites of Infection are the lung! nasal sinus! brains eye and skin.
Infection may have multiple sites.

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 reposed. It
has colonized in terminally ill patients.

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.

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 about 55% and are subject to
temperature durations 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 |11 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 thin the brains thymus, spleen, intestines lung, heart: lymph node, liver and kidney. The
mycotoxin is also reposed 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 difficultly 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.

Stemphylium sp. - Reported lo be allergenic. Isolated from dead plants and cellulose materials.

Periconia sp. - No information available, more to come.

Phoma sp. - A common indoor air allergen. It is similar lo 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 wails (3, of). It may have antigens which cross-react
with those of Alternaria sp. It will grow on butter, paint, cement and number. It may cause
phaeohyphomycosis, a systematic or subcutaneous disease.

Pithomyces sp. - Grows on dead grass in pastures. causes facial eczema in ruminants.

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