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

Epicoccum      A cosmopolitan saprobe isolated from air, soil, grain, seeds, textiles, paper products and food materials.  Can be a plant pathogen and is a common cause of leaf spots of various plants.  Can be found in indoor environments, where it can grow under conditions of low humidity.  It is a know allergen and is occasionally isolated from human skin and sputum.

Eurotium Can be found in stored food, fruit juices, grains, nuts, milled rice, spices, meat products and peas.  Also commonly occurs in indoor environments.  Eurotium harboriorum may case keratitis and indigestion in man.

Exophiala is a dematiaceous fungus widely distributed in soil, plants, water, and decaying wood material. As well as being a saprophyte in nature, it is the causative agent of various human infections.

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Fusarium A common soil fungus.  It is found on a wide range of plants. It is often found in humidifiers. Several species in this genus can produce potent trichothecene toxins. The trichothecene (scirpene) toxin targets, the following systems: circulatory, alimentary, skin and nervous. Produces vomitoxin on grains during unusually damp growing 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, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding. Reported to be allergenic. Frequently involved in eye, skin and nail infections

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Ganoderma  Large very hard, woody bracket fungus that grows on living and dead trees.  Some species are common on oaks, chestnuts and conifers such as hemlocks, spruces and pines. Many species are being investigated for possible medicinal uses

Geotrichum   Geotrichum is a yeast found worldwide in soil, water, air, and sewage, as well as in plants, cereals, and dairy products. It is also found in normal human flora and is isolated from sputum and feces.  The genus Geotrichum includes several species. The most common one is Geotrichum candidum. Geotrichum clavatum and Geotrichum fici are among other Geotrichum species.   Geotrichum fici has an intense smell resembling that of pineapple.  As well as being a colonizer of the intestinal tract, Geotrichum spp. may cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised host and these infections are referred to as geotrichosis. The infections are usually acquired via ingestion or inhalation. Bronchial and pulmonary as well as disseminated infections and fungemia due to Geotrichum have been reported. It has also been isolated from infections resulting from trauma.

Apart from its clinical significance, there are very recent claims on environmental damages that Geotrichum might have caused. It has been blamed for destroying the aluminium and data-storing polycarbonate resin that are found in the structure of compact discs. This in turn led to discoloration of the disc, with the disc becoming partly transparent. The exact role of Geotrichum in this destruction process requires confirmation.

Gliocladium is a mitosporic filamentous fungus which is widely distributed in soil and decaying vegetation.  It is commonly considered as a contaminant.

Graphium is a filamentous fungus found in soil and plant material. While Graphium may be isolated as an occasional contaminant, its telemorphs, Petriella, Pseudallescheria, and Ceratocystis may cause diseases. Most isolates of Graphium isolated in the clinical laboratory are synanamorphic forms of Pseudallescheria boydii or secondary forms with Scedosporium apiospermum.

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Mucor is a filamentous fungus found in soil, plants, decaying fruits and vegetables. As well as being ubiquitous in nature and a common laboratory contaminant, Mucor spp. may cause infections in man, frogs, amphibians, cattle, and swine. Most of the Mucor spp. are unable to grow at 37°C and the strains isolated from human infections are usually one of the few thermotolerant Mucor spp..

Myxomycete  is an ancient form of slime mold.  Not much is presently known about Myxomycete.  It is often found on decaying wood or organic material

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Ophiostoma This genus is an ascomycetous mould

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