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 ...   
Bipolaris spicifera
 


Bipolaris spicifera

One of several "graminicolous" species common on plant material particularly grasses. This is the most common Bipolaris species cited in causing human disease and a frequent cause of phaeohyphomycosis. It is also often implicated as a cause of fungal sinusitis, particularly in the Southern and Southwestern U.S., and other temperate areas. It has been reported as an agent of cutaneous disease, mycotic keratitis, and allergic fungal sinusitis. Systemic disease includes a dual mycosis with Torulopsis glabrata in a dog, a fatal endarteritis following aortic valve replacement, fungal peritonitis, meningitis, and disseminated disease in a neonate