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 ...
 
Alternaria alternata is a rapidly growing fungus that produces a greenish-black/black colony within five days, when incubated at 25°C (77°F).  The hyphae, conidiophores, and conidia are pigmented olivaceous-brown (dematiaceous).
 
It is found worldwide and is very common.  It can be isolated from air, plants, foodstuffs, soil, and textiles. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This fungus is an occasional agent of onchomycosis, of ulcerated cutaneous infection, and of chronic sinusitis. Rarely an opportunist human pathogen causing a hypersensitivity pneumonitis (woodworker's lung disease), and an immediate-type hypersensitivity - type 1 (IgE-mediated) extrinsic asthma and disease that is very common in individuals with atopic disease.