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Fusarium in Agriculture, Medical, Industrial and Indoor Environments

Fusarium species affect our lives in several fields. In agriculture Fusarium is known to cause diseases of many economically important crop plants. Some species are known to colonize stored cereal grains not only causing losses but also producing mycotoxins such as trichothecenes, zearalenone, and fumonisins that are harmful to humans and animals.Spores (microconidia) of Fusarium

In the medical field, Fusarium species cause opportunistic infections of human eyes, skin or nails and may also cause systemic infections in individuals with weak immune system. The most important species as far as human infection is concerned are Fusarium solani, Fusarium moniliforme (=Fusarium verticilloides), Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium dimerum. Fusarium solani is also allergenic and is occasionally found in indoor environments. It affects 4% of nasobronchial allergy patients.

For more details on this article, please read our August newsletter at http://www.moldbacteria.com/newsletter.html.

Aspergillus/Penicillium

Some species belonging to the fungal genera Aspergillus and Penicillium are known to be toxigenic or allergenic. Therefore, when lab results indicate an elevated level of Aspergillus/Penicillium spore counts in the air occupants may panic. It is important to know that although Aspergillus and Penicillium are very common indoors, not all spores reported by labs as Aspergillus/Penicillium belong to these toxigenic moulds. For more details see our newsletter at http://www.moldbacteria.com/newsletters/2006/junjul2006.html or check on past issues of our newsletter for this topic.

Do I Have Toxic Mold In My Home?

Often, people will ask the laboratory if it tests for toxic mold. The lab can test and identify any mold. If a mold is known to produce toxins (mycotoxins) the lab can provide this information. It is good to remember toxigenic molds (what the public refers to as toxic mold) do not produce the toxins all the time. Therefore, presence of a toxigenic mold in a house does not necessarily mean the occupants were exposed to mycotoxins. However, some of the toxic molds are also capable of causing mold allergy. Learn more on toxic mold in the article “Mycotoxins In Indoor Environment, Their Health Effects and the Moulds Producing Them”.

Do You Know Mold Allergy Symptoms?

It is the allergy season again. Do you know mold allergy symptoms may include the following:

  • Coughing and wheezing and other lower respiratory symptoms,
  • respiratory infections such as aspergillosis,
  • allergic diseases such allergic asthma and bronchitis,
  • non-inflammatory, unspecific symptoms including eye and skin irritation, fatigue, headache, nausea, and vomiting?

For more information regarding mold allergy, click Mold Allergy Symptoms.

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. […]