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 ...  
 
Bacillus sphaericus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A large aerobic gram-positive or gram-variable bacillus that produces endospores. It produces compact and heaped colonies or colonies that spread over the agar surface. Rarely, may produce a pink colony. It is ubiquitous in nature being found in soil, fresh and salt water sediments, milk, foods, and antacids. Usually considered nonpathogenic for humans, but may occasionally be an opportunistic pathogen.