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Alternaria alternata

Alternaria alternata spores, picture

Alternaria alternata is one of the fungal species referred to as “leaf fungi” (phylloplane). It has a worldwide distribution and is frequently isolated from a wide range of plants, soil, food, and indoor air. In indoor environments, Alternaria alternata has been isolated from dust on floors, carpet and mattresses. It is occasionally found on damp walls, gypsum board and wallpaper. Alternaria alternata is closely related to Ulocladium chartarum.

Ulocladium spores, picture

It is possible that Ulocladium chartatum is commonly misidentified as Alternaria alternata in commercial microbiology laboratories.

Alternaria alternata has been associated with a number of respiratory problems such as rhinitis, asthma, allergic dermatitis and allergic sinusitis. The spores and the hyphal fragments are the cause of the allergic reactions.

If you have any question related to mould or bacteria, feel free ro contact us at 905-290-9101.

Types Of Mold

Many people often ask what are the types of mold commonly found indoors. Generally the prevailing conditions determine the types of mold prevalent in a given environment. A highly humid environment is likely to be dominated by those molds that require a lot of water such Aspergillus fumigatus, Chaetomium globosum, Stachybotrys chartarum, Ulocladium chartarum, Fusarium solani, Trichoderma sp, while a relatively dry environment may be dominated by those molds that require less moisture to grow such as Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium spp, and Wallemia sebi. For a more detailed discussion on the types of mold commonly found indoors and their hazard classes, visit the website http://www.mouldfacts.ca/mouldtypes.html.

If you have a question concerning indoor mold or bacteria, give us a call at (905)290-9101.

My Mould Test Results Said Phoma: Is Phoma dangerous?

This is one of the questions we received recently from one of our web visitors. Phoma is one of the moulds that may be found in water damaged buildings. Other common fungi in water damaged buildings include Chaetomium globosum, Stachybotrys chartarum, Ulocladium chartarum, Trichoderma spp such as Trichoderma harzianum, Aureobasidium pullulans, and the yeast fungus Rhodotorula spp.

In nature, Phoma is widespread in soil and a wide range of plants and plant materials. It is one of the most important plant disease causing agents. In indoor environment, Phoma is common on wet/damp paints, wood, wall papers, window frames, and caulking especially in bathrooms. Species of Phoma are also commonly isolated from house dust. The common species in indoor environment are Phoma glomerata and Phoma macrostoma.

Phoma species are mainly contaminants, though may rarely cause infections in humans particularly to individuals with weak immune system. They are not known to pose an inhalation hazard to humans. However, any mould growing in human occupied environment should be treated as potentially hazardous.

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The Mould Ulocladium

Ulocladium is a widely distributed mould commonly found in soil and decaying plants. It has also been isolated from paper, textiles, dung, emulsion paint, grasses, fibres and wood. In indoor environment, Ulocladium has been found on painted surfaces, damp wall finished with wallpaper or water based emulsion paint; floor and mattress dust.

Conidiophores and spores of Ulocladium spUlocladium has two known species; Ulocladium chartarum and Ulocladium botrytis. Ulocladium chartarum is the species most commonly found in indoor environment. Presence of Ulocladium in indoor environment together with other moulds such as Stachybotrys, Fusarium and Chaetomium is an indication of water damage.

Ulocladium has been reported to cause Type I (hay fever) allergy. There have been cases of Ulocladium chartarum causing skin surface and deep skin infections in immuno-suppressed patients. Ulocladium botrytis has no proven pathogenicity.

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Salmonella food poisoning and symptoms

Salmonella food poisoning has been a growing concern in recent news. It has frequently lead to recalls of beef, salads and organic products and, even peanut butter products. Salmonella food poisoning occurs when one eats raw or undercooked foods such meat, poultry, eggs or egg products. Properly cooked food can get contaminated with Salmonella if […]

Legionella pneumophila – Guidelines for Laboratory Interpretation

Legionella pneumophila is a Gram negative, aerobic bacteria that is characterized as an opportunistic pathogen. It is the cause of Legionnaires’ Disease, a severe form of pneumonia and, it is the cause of Pontiac fever, a non-pneumonic form of L. pneumophila infection. Legionella spp.’s mode of transmission is through aerosols or aspiration of contaminated water. The Public Health […]

The Indoor Mold Is An Early Warning Device

The mold (or mould, in the Queen’s English) has been the victim of a bad press. Mention the word and it conjures up an image of something rotting or in the process of decomposition. And yet, were it not for the mold that inspired the discovery of penicillin millions of lives would have been lost. […]