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 ... 

Phoma spp.


 
Phoma is a dematiaceous filamentous fungus that inhabits the soil and plant material. Phoma species are cosmopolitan in nature and are common plant pathogens. While they are commonly considered as contaminants, Phoma species may rarely cause infections in humans. The genus Phoma contains several species. Most of the strains isolated from human infections have not been identified to species level. Color of the colony, morphology of the conidia, existence and structure of chlamydospores help in differentiation of the species from each other. Phoma species are among the rarely encountered causes of phaeohyphomycosis. The infection commonly develops after a trauma and immunosuppression is a major risk factor for its development. These infections may be cutaneous, subcutaneous,corneal, or (rarely) systemic.