Absidia

At right is an enlarged mold picture of Absidia mold under a microscope taken by mold expert Dr. Michelle Medalla during her mold sample analysis. Below are two small pictures* of the Absidia mold species.

*Lowpower photomicrographof Absidia in slide culture. Internodal rhizoids are not apparent here.

*Absidia in slide culture. A cup-shaped columella (long arrow) supports   a spherical sporangium (short arrow). Note also the pale tan sporangiospores (arrowhead) recently released from a sporangium.

Alternaria

     The dark brown spores are borne in simple or branched chains from the tips of simple dark conidiophores and are divided into several cells by transverse and vertical walls.

    New spores are produced by the extrusion of wall material through a pore at the tip of the previous spore. Commonly isolated from decaying plant materials; also causing plant diseases.

Spores of Alternaria species are dispersed by air currents and are usually a major component of outdoor air. Holomorphs: Clathrospora, Leptosphaeria, Pleospora, Pyrenophora. Refs: Ellis 1971, 1976; Joly 1964.

Aspergillus

The U.S. Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] lists the following Aspergillus species as all being allergens and irritants and a cause of Hypersensitivity pneumonitis and Dermatitis: Aspergillus flavipes, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus glaucus, Aspergillus nidulans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ochraceus, and Aspergillus versicolor.

Chaetomium

Chaetomium is a dematiaceous filamentous fungus found in soil, air, and plant debris. As well as being a contaminant, Chaetomium spp. are also encountered as causative agents of infections in humans. Some species are thermophilic and neurotropic in nature.

Chaetomium spp. are among the fungi causing infections wholly referred to as phaeohyphomycosis. Fatal deep mycoses due to Chaetomium atrobrunneum have been reported in an immunocompromised host. Brain abscess, peritonitis, cutaneous lesions, and onychomycosis may also develop due to Chaetomium spp.

Cladosporium

The U.S. Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] lists the following as the health effects of Cladospotium mold: Allergen, Irritant, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Dermatitis.

Cladosporium is a dematiaceous (pigmented) mold widely distributed in air and rotten organic material and frequently isolated as a contaminant on foods. Some species are predominant in tropical and subtropical regions. Also, some Cladosporium spp. were isolated from fish and were associated with findings of infectio

Exserohilum

Exserohilum species are common environmental molds found in soil and on plants, especially grasses. Several species have been reported as agents of phaeohyphomycosis, notably E. rostratum (= E. halodes), E. meginnisii and E. longirostratum. Clinical manifestations include mycotic keratitis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and sinusitis in both normal and immunosuppressed patients.

The U.S. Government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] lists the following as the health effects of Exserohilum mold: Allergen, Irritant, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Dermatitis.

Fusarium

Fusarium is a filamentous fungus widely distributed on plants and in the soil. It is found in normal mycoflora of commodities, such as rice, bean, soybean, and other crops. While most species are more common at tropical and subtropical areas, some inhabit in soil in cold climates. Some Fusarium species have a teleomorphic state.

As well as being a common contaminant and a well-known plant pathogen, Fusarium species  may cause various infections in humans. Fusarium is one of the emerging causes of opportunistic mycoses.

Microsporum

Microsporum species particularly infect the hair and skin, except for Microsporum persicolor which does not infect the hair.  The pathogenesis of the infection depends on the natural reservoir of the species in such a way that the geophilic species are acquired through contact with soil, zoophilic species are transmitted from the infected animal, and direct or indirect human – to – human transmission is of concern for anthropophilic species. Infections involving the nails are rare.  Immunocompromised patients are infected as well as the otherwise healthy hosts.

Penicillium

Penicillium spp. are occasional causes of infection in humans and the resulting disease is known generically as penicilliosis. Penicilliosis is an infection caused by Penicillium marneffei, a dimorphic fungus endemic to Southeast Asia and the southern part of China. Persons affected by penicilliosis usually have AIDS with low CD4+ cell count of typically <100 cells/cu mm. The average CD4 count at presentation is 63.5 cells/cu mm. Penicillium marneffei infections have also been reported in non-AIDS patients with hematological malignancies and those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

Rhinocladiella

Rhinocladiella is a cosmopolitan fungus which can be found in soil, herbaceous substrates, and decaying wood.  To date, there are only three cases of subcutaneous infection that have been reported as caused by Rhinocladiella aquaspersa.

Rhizopus

Rhizopus is a cosmopolitan filamentous fungus frequently isolated from soil, decaying fruit and vegetables, animal feces, and old bread. Aside from being known as common contaminants, Rhizopus species are also occasional causes of serious, and often fatal, infections in humans.  Certain species are plant pathogens as well.

Rhizopus species are among the fungi causing the group of infections referred to as zygomycosis.  Zygomycosis is now the preferred term over mucormycosis for this angio – invasive disease.  Rhizopus arrhizus is the most common cause of zygomycosis and is followed by Rhizopus microsporus var. rhizopodiformis.

Zygomycosis infection includes mucocutaneous, rhinocerebral, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and disseminated infections.  The most frequent predisposing factors for zygomycosis include diabetic ketoacidosis and immunosuppression due to various reasons, such as organ transplantation and other factors such as desferoxamine treatment, renal failure, extensive burns, trauma, and intravenous drug use which may also predispose to development of zygomycosis.  Heatstroke has been described as a risk factor for disseminated zygomycosis as well.  Contaminated adhesive tapes and wooden tongue depressors have been reported to lead to nosocomial outbreaks of zygomycosis.  Vascular invasion that causes necrosis of the infected tissue, and perineural invasion are the most frustrating features of these infections. Zygomycosis is frequently considered as fatal infection.

(Image Courtesy of www.doctorfungus.org @ 2005)

Rhinocerebral zygomycosis caused by Rhizopus oryzae extensive involvement of the orbit and associated MRI image.

See mold pictures and read the health effects of Absidia mold, Alternaria mold, Aspergillus mold, Aureobasidium mold, Chaetomium mold, Cladosporium mold, Exserohilum mold,
Fusarium mold, Microsporum mold, Mucor mold, Penicillium mold, Rhinocladiella mold,
Rhizopus mold, Stachybotrys toxic black mold, and Trichoderma mold. www.blackmoldpicture.com

 Also visit: Mold Training & Mold Certification information and procedures.

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