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 ... 

Sporotrichum spp.
 
 
 
Sporotrichum is a filamentous fungus widely distributed in decaying wood and soil. It is commonly considered as a contaminant. Phanerochaete chrysosporium is the telemorph of Sporotrichum pruinosum. No diseases due to Sporotrichum have so far been reported. However, Sporotrichum pruinosum has been isolated from the respiratory secretions of some patients. This finding may suggest that colonization of the bronchopulmonary tree with Sporotrichum pruinosum is likely Also, the organism was shown to produce giant, thick-walled chlamydospore-like structures similar to the adiaspores of Emmonsia parva in tissues.