Commonly Found Indoor Molds

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Acremonium  naturally found in soils, decaying organic matter and plat debris.  Can be found in food and indoor environments.  A common allergen.  Can produce a trichothecene mycotoxins and volatile organic compounds.

Agrocybe/Coprinus This genus is a basidiomycetous mould. Fungal spores which are from mushrooms. The specific mushroom species can not be identified on the culture plate. Many mushroom spores are reported to be allergenic

Alternaria        A common saprobe found on decaying wood, decaying plants, food, spoil and outdoor air.  Some species are plant pathogens.  Indoors, it can be found in house dust, carpets, damp areas around showers and windows frames and anywhere condensation occurs.  Because of its abundance and ubiquity, Alternaria is one of the most important fungal allergens and is recognized as the chief fungal cause of hay fever.  Infection is extremely rare.

Arthrinium   is a cosmopolitan filamentous fungus isolated from plant debris and soil. There are no infections so far reported due to Arthrinium in humans or animals. Since Arthrinium is cosmopolitan in nature, it is an occasional laboratory contaminant.

Ascomycete     constitute the largest class of fungi characterized by the production of sexual spores in structures call asci.  This includes plant pathogens, saprobes and decomposers.  With a few exceptions, most Ascomycetes do not grow in buildings and are seldom agents of wood rot.  Ascomycetes are the perfect stages of molds like Aspergillus and Penicillium.  At high levels, Ascomycete spores may cause allergies.

Since most Ascomycetes are plant pathogens, ascospores are common during the growing season of plants and are rare during winter, such as those of the Ascomycetes genera: Daldinia, Hypoxylon, Paraphaeospaeria, Phaeosphaeria and Leptosphaeria.

Aspergillus   Reported to be allergenic. Members of this genus are reported to cause ear infections. 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. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Aureobasidium A Common saprobe frequently isolated from soil, plant surfaces, seeds, grains, fruits and other food, human skin and nails.  Common indoors in humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, poorly maintained HVAC systems and window frames.  Allergies to Aureobasidium are common, but infections are rarely reported.

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Basidiomycetes    A class of fungi characterized by spores formed on basidia.  Included the mushrooms, toadstools, wood bracket fungi and puffballs.  Some species are edible, such as Agaricus bisporus, the commercially cultivated mushrooms.  A few species cause wood brown rot, white rot and dry rot in buildings.

Bipolaris The genus Bipolaris is cosmopolitan in nature and can be isolated from plant debris and soil.  It contains about 45 species, most of which are subtropical and tropical plant parasites. However, a few species are capable of causing disease in humans.

Botrytis is a filamentous fungus isolated from decaying plants. No infections due to Botrytis have been reported in humans or animals. It may act as a facultative pathogen in plants and is commonly considered as a contaminant

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Cercospora This genus is a mould that lacks a known sexual state and thus belongs to the Fungi Imperfecti.

Chaetomium A common fungus in soils, dung, decaying organic matter, seeds and wood or other cellulose-containing materials.  Can be found indoors in water-damaged buildings on sheet rock, wall paper and other paper products.  It is a common cause of food spoilage.  In some species it is allergenic, but rarely causes human infections.

Chrysosporium A common soil saprobe occasionally isolated from human or animal skin and nail.  Chrysosporium inops is xerophilic and occurs in food.

Cladosporium is widely distributed as plant pathogens and saprobes.  It is the most frequently found fungus in outdoor air.  Indoors, it usually occurs at low concentrations in damp or humid areas, but may be found in high concentrations in water-damaged building materials.  Its ability to sporulate heavily and to get airborne makes it an important fungal allergen.  Frequently isolated as a contaminant in foods.  Only occasionally associated with disease in humans; one species can cause chronic subcutaneous infection.

Curvularia A common saprobe found in soils, plants, cereals and cellulosic materials such as paper and archives.  Some species are plant pathogens,  Can Be found indoors.  It is allergenic and may cause infections in immunocompromised individuals.

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