Q: Who am I? What is the name of the mold shown above?:
(A) Penicillium spp
(B) Aspergillus spp.
(C) Stachybotrys spp.
(D) Alternaria spp.
A: (C) Stacyhybotrys spp.
26.67% were correct.
Stachybotrys spp. fruiting structure with spores. Often know as the toxic mold. Several strains of this fungus (S. atra, S. chartarum and S. alternans are synonymous). This fungus may produce a trichothecene mycotoxin - Satratoxin H - which is a poisonous by inhalation. The toxins are present on the fungal spores. The toxins produced by this fungus will suppress the immune system affecting the lymphoid tissue and the bone marrow. The spores will die readily after release but the dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic.
Information and photo provided by: Dennis Kunkel Microsocpy Inc.
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