Pure Air Control Services and the Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory are pleased to introduce "Under the Scope", a new section of the IEQ REVIEW. There are over 100,000 species of fungi. Many fungi are good and useful (edible mushrooms would be an example of these) while some cause problems (some fungi can injure plants and humans). Every week the IEQ Review will describe a specific microorganism, its morphological origin and potential health effects.  If you would like to know about a specific organism and/or would like it published in The IEQ Review please email Dr. Rajiv Sahay with the Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDL) at Pure Air Control Services laboratory@pureaircontrols.com

This week we will cover ...

Penicillium frequentans:  A slow growing fungus that produces a bluish-green colony with a yellow-brown reverse, within fourteen days, when incubated at 25C (77F).  It is a common fungus isolated worldwide from soil, plants, bird feathers, gerbils, frogs, caterpillars, wood pulp, paper, flour-based foodstuffs, beehives, fruits, and fruit juices. 
 
Clinical Relavance:
 
P. frequentans is involved in suberosis, a respiratory disease in workers in the cork industry.  Penicillium spp. has been isolated from patients with keratitis [Deshpande, 1999 #9064], endophtalmitis, otomycosis, necrotizing esophagitis, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract infections. Most Penicillium infections are encountered in immunosuppressed hosts. Corneal infections are usually post-traumatic. In addition to its infectious potential, Penicillium verrucosum produces a mycotoxin, ochratoxin A, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic. The production of the toxin usually occurs in cereal grains at cold climates.
 
    
 
Penicillium spp.