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...   
 
Aspergillus flavus
 

 
This species is the etiologic agent in a wide range of infections including mycotoxicoses owing to aflotoxins, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, otitis, sinusitis, and invasive disease. Some reports suggest the disease process may be potentiated by aflotoxins, particularly in the immunocompromised/neutropenic host. Organism is extremely angioinvasive with resultant necrosis and infarction. Effuse, lime green colonies with rough conidiophores and smooth to very finely roughed conidia distinguish this species from the similar Aspergillus parasiticus that produces very rough conidia.