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 ...   
Methylobacterium species

Methylobacterium species
An aerobic, gram-negative bacillus producing small, pink to red pigmented colonies that grow poorly on most media. It can be isolated from air, soil, water, sewage, rumen of cows, plants (especially perennial ryegrass, tobacco, soybean) and from the hospital environment. It is capable of causing infections in immunologically compromised patients (bone marrow transplant patients, patients on dialysis, patients with catheters, and patients with cancer).
 

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Pure Air Control Services

800-422-7873, ext. 802