Common Mold

Common Species of Mold

Mold

Molds are a variety of fungi which tend to develop in warm, damp areas. They commonly appear as clumps of dull, blue-grey matter with a texture resembling fur. Mold is unsightly and has an unpleasant odor, but in most cases it is not a danger to humans. In fact, mold has many beneficial properties, including its use in foods and medicines, and as a general decomposer.

Mold Reproduction
Molds reproduce by emitting clouds of spores, which are then carried off by the movements of the air or by hitching a ride on a passing insect. If a spore is able to reach an area with conditions conducive to the growth of mold, it will then form a new colony. A good spot for mold will need to meet several conditions. Some sort of organic matter that serves as food will be necessary, as molds gather nutrients through direct absorption and not through a process of photosynthesis, as is the case with plants; this lack of photosynthetic pigments is the reason why molds appear in such muted colors, as opposed to the rich greens of plants. The temperature of the area will need to be relatively warm for the mold to thrive (50 degrees is the approximate minimum), and it will do best at a fairly high humidity (ideally, over 60 percent). Molds also require an ambient source of liquid, which is why they tend to be found in damp areas such as bathrooms, basements, and on improperly sealed foods in refrigerators. Molds that have formed colonies will begin emitting new clouds of spores; those that settle near the colony will coalesce, those that are carried off will begin new colonies elsewhere.

Mold and Allergies
Molds are a common cause of allergic reactions. They can also cause various respiratory problems in individuals routinely exposed to them, such as farmers who work in the presence of moldy hay. Some molds possess toxic properties (known as mycotoxins) and can cause intense allergy-like symptoms if breathed in excessively. Those suffering from asthma may be particularly sensitive to mold exposure. However, in general, moving away from the presence of mold will be sufficient to ward off any health risks.

Using Mold to Advantage
Many foods are reliant on the use of cultured molds for their preparation, most notably cheeses and yogurts. Molds are also used effectively as antibiotics, due to the innate ability of some strains to resist invasive bacteria. Penicillin, an antibiotic derived from the mold strain known as penicillium, was a major breakthrough for medicine and has dramatically reduced the number of deaths caused by bacterial infections since its discovery in 1928.

Eradicating Mold
Mold inside the home can be reduced by eliminating the conditions that breed it: damp areas, exposed food, and excessive humidity. Humidity itself can be reduced by allowing houses to be well-ventilated, which prevents the moisture from condensing.

Note: Different mold species can have varying health effects, but it is important to remember that any excessive mold growth needs to be taken care of, regardless of the species. Any excessive mold growth can lead to increased allergies, toxicity, and house/building structural problems.

Aspergillus
Aspergillus is the most common genus of fungi in our environment with more than 160 different species of mold. Sixteen of these species have been documented as causing human disease. Aspergillosis is now the 2nd most common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the United States.

Aspergillus fumigatus. The most encountered species causing infection. It is seen abundantly in decomposing organic material, such as self-heating compost piles, since it readily grows at temperatures up to 55 C. People who handle contaminated material often develop hypersensitivity to the spores of Aspergillus and may suffer severe allergic reactions upon exposure.

Aspergillus flavus. The 2nd most encountered fungi in cases of Aspergillus infection. It is also known to produce the mycotoxin aflatoxin, one of the most potent carcinogens known to man. In the 1960s, 100,000 turkey poults in Great Britain died from ingesting contaminated feed. Most countries have established levels for aflatoxin in food. However, the risks associated with airborne exposure are not adequately studied and no exposure standards exist.

Aspergillus niger. The 3rd most common Aspergillus fungi associated with disease and the most common of any Aspergillus species in nature due to it’s ability to grow on a wide variety of substrates. This species may cause a “fungal ball”, which is a condition where the fungus actively proliferates in the human lung, forming a ball. It does so without invading the lung tissue.

Stachybotys
Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) This group of molds can thrive on water damaged, cellulose-rich material in buildings such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation backing, wallpaper, etc. In the majority of cases where Stachybotrys is found indoors, water damage has gone unnoticed or ignored since it requires extended periods of time with increased levels of moisture for growth to occur. Stachybotrys is usually black and slimy in appearance. Events of water intrusion that are addressed quickly tends to support the growth of more xerophilic fungi such as Pencillium and Aspergillus.

Stachybotrys is another fungi that has the ability to produce mycotoxins, ones that are extremely toxic, suspected carcinogens, and immunosuppressive. Exposure to these mycotoxins can result through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal exposure. Symptoms of exposure include dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nose bleeds, cold and flu-like symptoms, headache, general malaise, and fever.

Cladosporium
These genera of mold are pigmented dark green to black in the front, and black on the reverse with a velvety to powdery texture. One of the most commonly isolated from indoor and outdoor air, Cladosporium spp. are found on decaying plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint, textiles, and the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts.

There are over 30 species in the Cladosporium genus. The most common are C. elatum, C. herbarum, C. sphaerospermum, and C. cladosporioides. These fungi are the causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, nail fungus, sinusitis, asthma, and pulmonary infections. Acute symptoms of exposure to Cladosporium are edema and bronchiospasms, and chronic exposure may lead to pulmonary emphysema.

Fusarium spp.
A common soil fungus and inhabitant on a wide array of plants, this fungi is often found in humidifiers and has been isolated from water-damaged carpets and a variety of other building materials. Human exposure may occur through ingestion of contaminated grains and possibly through the inhalation of spores. Fusarium spp. are frequently involved with eye, skin, and nail infections. More severely it can produce hemorrhagic syndrome (alimentary toxic aleukia) in humans which is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding. Several species can produce the trichothecene toxins which target the circulatory, alimentary, skin, and nervous systems. Vomitoxin is one such tricothecene mycotoxin that has been associated with outbreaks of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. Zearalenone is another mycotoxin produced by Fusarium. It is similar in structure to the female sex hormone estrogen and targets the reproductive organs.

Penicillium spp.
These fungi are commonly found in soil, food, cellulose, grains, paint, carpet, wallpaper, interior fiberglass duct insulation, and decaying vegetation. Penicillium may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, and allergic alveolitis in susceptible individuals.
The genus Penicillium has several species. The most common ones include Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium citrinum, Penicillium janthinellum, Penicillium marneffei, and Penicillium purpurogenum.

This fungi has been isolated from patients with keratitis, ear infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis, and urinary tract infections. Penicillium infections are most commonly exhibited in immunosuppressed individuals. For example, P. marneffei is a fungus abundant in Southeast Asia that typically infects patients with AIDS in this area. Infection with P.marneffei is acquired via inhalation and initially results in a pulmonary infection and then spreads to other areas of the body (lymphatic system, liver, spleen, and bones), and is often fatal. An indication of infection is the appearance of papules that resemble acne on the face, trunk, and extremities.

Penicillim spp. do have the ability to produce mycotoxins. The mycotoxin known as Ochratoxin A, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic, may be produced by Penicillium verrucosum. Verrucosidin is another mycotoxin produced by this fungus that exhibits neurotoxity. Penicillic acid is another mycotoxin that is nephrotoxic (causes kidney and liver damage).

Mycotoxins
During the digestion of substrates, fungi secrete enzymes into nutrients in order to break down complex compounds into simpler compounds that can be taken up by the fungi and used as nutrition. These digested nutrients produce secondary metabolic byproducts called mycotoxins that are released to give the fungi a competitive edge over other microorganisms and fungi. Unfortunately, mycotoxins can also be incredibly toxic to humans causing a variety of responses including cold/flu-like symptoms, sore throats, headaches, nose bleeds, fatigue, diarrhea, dermatitis, and immune suppression. Some mycotoxins may also be carcinogenic and teratogenic. Molds that have been known to potentially produce these toxins are Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Cladosporium, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Stachybotrys.
Even though these molds may potentially produce mycotoxins, they will not do so unless specific environmental conditions exist. Currently, it is unknown exactly what conditions promote the growth of mycotoxin production and more scientific research needs to be conducted on this topic for it to be fully understood.

Types of Mycotoxins:

Aflatoxin. This mycotoxin is primarily produced by Aspergillus species. It is one of the most potent carcinogens known to man and has been linked to a wide array of human health problems. The FDA has established a maximum allowable level of total aflatoxin in food commodities of 20 parts per billion (ppb) and the maximum level for aflatoxin in milk products is 0.5 ppb.

Ochratoxin. This mycotoxin is primarily produced by species of Penicillium and Aspergillus. It can be damaging to the kidneys / liver, and it is a suspected carcinogen. There is also evidence supporting it’s role in impairing immune system function.

Tricothecene. The toxin is produced by Stachybotrys spp. and Fusarium spp and has even been indicated as a potential agent for use as a biological weapon. One of the more deadly mycotoxins, if it is ingested in large amounts it can severely damage the entire digestive tract and cause rapid death due to internal hemorrhaging. It has also been implicated in human disease such as infant pulmonary hemosiderosis. In 1986, Croft et al., with funding from the Army, reported chronic inhalation due to mycotoxicosis from tricothecene exposure in a household in Chicago.

For information on this subject go to: http://gcrc.meds.cwru.edu/stachy/.