mold glossary Mu

MoldSprayers LLC
www.moldsprayers.com

Mold Glossary N - Z
Mucor sp. Often found in soils, dead plant material (hay), horse dung, fruits and fruit juice. It is also found in leather, meat, dairy
products, animal hair, and jute. It is almost always in house dust, frequently in air samples and old dirty carpets. Wood chips and
sawdust are often attacked by M. plimbeus causing "wood chips disease" and "furrier’s lung". Accumulated dust in ventilation ducts
may contain high concentrations of viable Mucor spores. Asthmatic reactions to Mucor have been described. It is a Zygomecete
fungus that may be allergenic (skin and bronchial tests). It is an opportunistic pathogenic organism and it may cause mucorosis in
immune compromised individuals. The sites of infections are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may have multiple
sites. This organism and other Zygomycetes will grow rapidly on most fungal media. Conidia (aplanospores) are globose to
ellipsoidal,7-8 microns in diameter, yellowish brown and slightly rough-walled, and are produced in sporangia that are developed
around a piriform columella with typical projections. Identification is based on the way sporangia are formed. Cultivation - Potato
dextrose agar, 24°C.

Mycotoxin - a toxin produced by a fungus

Myxomycetes
Ubiquitous, type I allergen. Often found on decaying plant material, however occasionally found indoors. Dispersed by wind in the
dry phase, while the wet amoebic phase is motile. Myxomycetes exhibit characteristics of protozoans and fungi. Indistinguishable
from smuts under 600x microscopy.

Nigrospora sp. Nigrospora is reported to be allergenic. Morphological characteristics include shiny black conidia, 1-celled, egg-
shaped to flattened-spherical, produced singly, and often have an equatorial colorless line or germ slit. Nigrospora often appears as
white wooly colonies growing fairly rapidly. This fungus can be a plant parasite or saprophytic.

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. Some members of this genus are reported to cause pneumonia. It has also
been reported as causative agent of allergic alveolitis. It may produce arsine gas if growing on arsenic substrate, this can occur on
wallpapers covered with Paris green. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 24°C.

Penicillium sp. - (Aw 0.78). A wide number of organisms belong to this genus. Identification to species is difficult. Often found in
aerosol samples. Commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, paint, grains, and compost piles. It is commonly found in carpet, wallpaper,
and in interior fiberglass duct insulation. Although this fungus is less allergy-provoking than the other molds, Penicillium is reported
to be allergenic (skin) and it may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. It can cause
other infections such as keratitis, penicilliosis, and otomycosis. Some species can produce mycotoxins including 1). Ochratoxin which
is damaging to the kidneys and liver and is also a suspected carcinogen; there is also evidence that impairs the immune system. 2).
Citrinin that can cause renal damage, vasodilatation, and bronchial constriction. 3). Gliotoxin which is an immunosuppressive toxin,
and 4). Patulin that is believed to cause hemorrhaging in the brain and lungs and is usually associated with apple and grape
spoilage. It can also cause extrinsic asthma. P. camemberti has been responsible for inducing occupational allergies among those
who work with soft white cheeses on which the fungus grows. P. chrysogenum has been found on building materials, including paints,
chip boards, and wallpaper. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 24°C.

Penicillium brevicompactum Commonly found in water damaged carpet, wallpaper, and some types of insulation. Penicillium is
reported to be allergenic (skin) and it may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals. It can
cause other infections such as keratitis, penicilliosis, and otomycosis. Penicillium brevicompactum can produce the mycotoxin
mycophenolic acid.

Penicillium chrysogenum This species, formerly known as Penicillium notatum, was one of the first known producers of penicillin. It
is commonly found and can act as a food source for some types of dust mites. Penicillium chrysogenum is often found growing as a
dark green colony and can produce the mycotoxins roquefortine C, chrysogine, and meleagrin.

Phoma sp. This fungus is reported to be a common indoor air allergen and it is also commonly found on various plant parts and soil.
Phoma species are reported to grow extensively on painted walls, particularly in humid places such as showers. Some species can
be pathogenic to humans, causing either systematic or subcutaneous diseases (phaeohyphomycosis). Morphological characteristics
of this fungus include the production of dark colonies resulting from microscopic dark fruiting structures called pycnidia which harbor
one-celled spores. It has been reported to produce pink or purple spots on painted walls and grow on paint, cement, and rubber.
Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 24°C.

Pithomyces sp. This fungus is found mainly growing on decaying plants, specially grasses. It produces a mycotoxin called
sporidesmin (a piperazinedione) known to be pathogenic in animals causing facial eczema and liver damage. Spores are produced
at the apex of short side branches of vegetative filaments, dark brown, 2- to several celled. The most common isolated species is P.
chartarum and its spores have both longitudinal and transverse septa. Cultivation - Corn meal agar, 24°C.

Rhinocladiella sp. Naturally found in soil and woody plant materials as a saprophyte. Reported among the principal fungi causing
chromoblastomycosis, a disease characterized by a chronic localized infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue that follows the
traumatic implantation of the causal agent. The lesions are verrucoid, ulcerated, and crusted, and may be flat or raised 1-3 cm. The
mycosis usually remains localized with extensive keloid formation. Forms of the disease include Verrucous dermatitis, Brain abscess
syndrome, Single or multiple cysts, Local or systemic lesions. Morphological characteristics - Conidiophores simple, or branched in
some species. Conidia apical on new growing points of conidiophore, subhyaline to dark, mostly 1-celled, ovoid to oblong-ellipsoid,
dry. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 24°C.

Rhizomucor sp. Belongs to the Zygomycetes (mucorales) and it is reported to be allergenic and often linked to occupational
allergy. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. It occupies a similar biological niche to Mucor sp.. The sites of
infection are the lung, nasal sinus, brain, eye, and skin. Infection may be multiple sites. It may also cause zygomycosis (rhino-facial-
cranial area, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, and skin). This disease is associated with the acidotic diabetes, malnourished children,
severely burned patients, and other diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, immunosuppressive therapy, or use of cytotoxins
and corticosteroids. The fungi show a proclivity for vessel invasion resulting in embolization and necrosis of surrounding tissue.
Morphological characteristics of this fungus are the production of sporangiospores, which are diminute, rounded thick walled bodies
resistant to heat and drought. They are produced in large numbers in globular envelopes (sporangia) at the tip of special hyphae
(sporangiophores). Identification is based on the way the sporangia are formed. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 24°C.

Rhizopus sp. Fungus found throughout the environment. It has been reported to be allergenic and it is often linked to occupational
allergy. It may cause mucorosis in immune compromised individuals. It may also cause zygomycosis (rhino-facial-cranial area, lungs,
gastrointestinal tract, and skin). This disease is associated with the acidotic diabetes, malnourished children, severely burned
patients, and other diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma, immunosuppressive therapy, or use of cytotoxins and corticosteroids.
The fungi show a propensity for vessel invasion resulting in embolization and necrosis of surrounding tissue. Cultivation - Potato
dextrose agar, 24°C.

Scedosporium sp. This fungus is found in soils, decaying plants matter or dung. Listed among the principal fungi that cause
Phaeohyphomycosis. This disease consists of a group of mycotic infections characterized by the presence of dematiaceous septate
hyphae and sometimes yeast or combination of both. Species of Scedosporium mostly affect people with compromised immune
systems, but healthy people may also become infected. The hyphae may be short to elongate, distorted or swollen, regularly shaped
or any combination of the above. Infections of the eyes and skin by the black fungi could also be included in this disease. .
Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 24°C.

Scopulariopsis sp. This fungus is ubiquitous, and can be found on a wide variety of materials including old carpets and water-
damaged wallpaper. Exposures from Scopulariopsis brevicaulis have been associated with cases of occupational allergy in the
tobacco industry. It can decompose arsenic compounds found on building materials with an arsenic substrate, such as, some types
of wallpaper and paints.

Sepedonium sp. This fungus is mainly found as parasite of mushrooms, but it is also isolated from soil. Most easily recognized by
the spores, which are colorless to yellow, spiny, round, 1-celled, and produced singly at the ends of short filaments. Sometimes
spores of Sepedonium can be very similar to those of the human pathogen Histoplasma capsulatum and species of Mortierella. .
Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 24°C.

Smuts - Ubiquitous, type I allergen. They are parasitic plant pathogens that require a living host. Most often found on corn, grass,
weeds, flowering plants and other fungi; usually disseminated by wind. Indistinguishable from myxomycetes under 600x microscopy.

Sporothrix sp. It can cause sporotrichosis. Usually only in populations which are immune compromised. Morphological
characteristics include conidiophores mostly simple, 1-celled or septate, hyaline, bearing a loose cluster of dry conidia at apex;
conidia, hyaline, 1-celled, globose to ovoid, born on short, prominent denticles. Mostly found as saprophyte. Cultivation - Sabouraud’
s agar, 24°C.

Sporotrichum sp. This fungus is reported to be allergenic. Sporotrichum is commonly found on decaying plant matter, wet and
rotting wood and in landscaping mulch. It is morphologically similar to the human pathogen Sporothrix.

Stachybotrys sp. - Considerable recent media attention has been focused on the fungi Stachybotrys chartum due to infant deaths
in Cleveland from pulmonary hemosiderosis which may be associated with contamination of residences with this fungi. Stachybotrys
thrives on water damaged cellulose rich materials such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, cellulose containing insulation backing and
wallpaper. The presence of this fungus in buildings is significant because of the mold’s ability to produce mycotoxins, which are
extremely toxic, such as Satratoxin H. Exposure to these toxins can occur through inhalation, ingestion or dermal exposure.
Symptoms include dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, a burning sensation in the mouth and nasal passage, cold and flu
symptoms, headache, general malaise, and fever. Inhalation of conidia may also induce pathological changes
(pneumomycotoxicoses). Satratoxin H has been reported to be abortogenic in animals and in high doses or chronic low doses it can
be lethal. S. chartarum produces other macrocyclic and trichoverroid trichothecenes and, like Memnoniella echinata, produces
phenylspirodrimanes, which are immunosuppressive. Stachybotrys typically appears as a sooty black fungus occasionally
accompanied by a thick mass of white mycelia. As a general rule, air sampling for Stachybotrys yields unpredictable results mainly
due to the fact that this fungus is usually accompanied by other fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium that normally are better
aerosolized than Stachybotrys. Bulk or surface sampling of suspect materials can be analyzed in a laboratory for identification by
light microscopy. Cultivation - Corn meal agar, 24°C.

Stemphylium sp. - Reported to be allergenic. Isolated from dead plants and cellulose materials; it can be parasitic or saprophytic.
Morphological characteristics - Dark conidia, with cross and longitudinal septa, variable in shape, frequently globose, broadly
ellipsoid, or ovoid, often constricted at major septum. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar or V-8 juice agar, 24°C.

Syncephalastrum sp. This organism is considered to be primarily non pathogenic in humans and is usually found in soils and in
dung. Morphologically it is distinct with conidiophores erect, branched, tips enlarged, bearing a head of rod shaped sporangioles,
each producing a row of nearly spherical conidia.

Torula sp. Reported to be allergenic. Found as a saprophyte. Morphological characteristics - Conidiophores short, dark, simple,
branched or absent; conidia 1-to several-celled, round, dark, and in chains. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 24°C.

Trichoderma sp. Trichoderma is most commonly found in soil. Trichoderma is often found in litter materials (polluted streams,
sewage plants and driftwood). It is found on paper, and in kitchens on many common tableware materials. T. viridae is often isolated
from indoor air samples and house dust. Materials such as wood construction and mineral fiber panels can be very affected by this
fungus. Trichoderma sp. is reported to be allergenic but are relatively rare. Inhalation of the conidia or teh volatile organic
compounds, may cause symptoms similar to those of Stachybotrys reactions. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 24°C.

Tricothecium sp. Occurring in soil and decaying plant matter, often found as an epiparasite on black knot of plum. Spores are 2-
celled, colorless to pink, bilaterally symmetrical and are produced in long chains from the unbranched conidiophores. Cultivation -
Potato dextrose agar, 24°C. Produces mycotoxins, trichothecin and other trichothecenes.

Ulocladium sp. - (Aw 0.89). This fungus is reported to be allergenic and considered cosmopolitan. It is commonly found as a
saprophyte on plant materials and soils. Some species can be also found on dead herbaceous plants, rotten woods, paper, textiles,
and other organic substrates (cellulose,)such as water-damaged building materials. Ulocladium is also found in dust and air samples.
Ulocladium is known to be a common airway allergen. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 26°C.

Verticillium sp. Commonly found in soil and decaying plant matter, known also to cause plant diseases. Characterized by whorls of
phialides produced along the length of undifferentiated filaments of on conidiophores. Conidia are colorless, 1- or 2-celled, collected
in small wet masses. Cultivation - Potato dextrose agar, 26°C.

Yeast - Most species of yeast reproduce asexually through a process called budding. The daughter cell of the parent yeast cell is at
first much smaller and tends to cling to the parent and often clumps or chains of cells are formed. Ascospores are formed during
sexual reproduction of some yeasts.

Yeasts-Candida sp.
Candida sp. Part of the normal flora and other mucous membranes in the body. Thrush and other diseases caused by this yeast
usually occur after prolonged treatment with antibiotics or steroids. The environment is not a likely source of exposure for this fungus
and cells from the organism are usually not airborne. Mucocutaneous candidiasis is one of the most common manifestations of HIV
infection. While other yeasts may occasionally cause clinical disease, Candida albicans is the organism isolated from most patients.
Most species of yeast reproduce asexually through a process called budding. The daughter cell is at first much smaller and tends to
cling to the parent and often clumps or chains cell is at first much smaller and tends to cling to the parent and often clumps or chains
of cells are formed. Cultivation - YM agar, 36°C

Yeasts-Cryptococcus neofornans.
Cryptococcus neoformans Yeast considered an opportunistic pathogen, although it can cause a disease in an immune competent
host. In its environmental state C. neoformans var. neoformans colonizes pigeon and other bird droppings and C. neoformans var.
gatti the bark of the red gum tree. Both forms can cause disease in humans (cryptococcosis). Primary infection with C. neoformans
follows exposure to an environmental source and inhalation of the fungus leading to an infection of the lung. A transient colonization
of the bronchial tree may result, or more extensive pulmonary involvement may occur. Bronchial infection may be self-limiting or
chronic and may lead to dissemination to other parts of the body. Meningoencephalitis is the most common manifestation of
dissemination and the most severe. Symptoms depend upon the rapidity of onset of disseminated disease. The indolent cases begin
with headache. Nausea, dizziness, decreased comprehension, impaired memory and gait ataxia follow and increase in severity as
invasion of the cerebral cortex, brain stem, cerebellum and meninges progresses. Although pigeon excreta is considered a
significant source of inoculum of this fungus, it is thought that alternative unknown routes of exposure exist. One possible source that
is currently being studied is the sexual stage of C. neoformans var. neoformans, Filobasidiella neoformans var. neoformans. The
basidiospores of this organism are dry, readily airborne, which may be more readily deposited in the alveoli. Sampling for C.
neoformans should only be performed is a route of exposure is suspected. This would include bulk sampling of pigeon droppings in
and around fresh air intakes and surface sampling of ductwork and work areas. Most species of yeast reproduce asexually through a
process called budding. The daughter cell is at first much smaller and tends to cling to the parent and often clumps or chains of cells
are formed. Cultivation - YM agar, 24°C.

ALL molds reproduce by
making "spores." Mold
spores are microscopic
and only become visible
when individual spores
accumulate. According
to the United States EPA,
these microscopic
particles continuously
move through indoor
and outdoor air. When
mold spores find
moisture indoors, they
may "begin growing and
digesting whatever they
are growing on in order
to survive."

Molds gradually destroy
whatever they are
growing on.

Call 850-499-2227