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 ...   

Phialophora species



Phialophora species
 
A slow growing fungus that produces an olivaceous-black colony within fourteen days, when incubated at 25oC (77oF). It has worldwide distribution and has been isolated from soil, decaying wood, wood pulp, and plants. It is a plant pathogen but has been found to the cause of chromoblastomycosis, corneal ulcers, and subcutaneous granulomas in man.
 

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