Cladosporium Mold SpeciesThe
U.S. Government's Occupational
Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] lists
the following as the health effects of Cladospotium mold: Allergen,
Irritant, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Dermatitis.
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Taxonomic Classification
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Description and Natural Habitats
Cladosporium
is a dematiaceous (pigmented) mold widely distributed in air and rotten
organic material and frequently isolated as a contaminant on foods. Some
species are predominant in tropical and subtropical regions. Also, some Cladosporium
spp. were isolated from fish and were associated with findings of
infection. SpeciesThe genus Cladosporium includes over 30 species. The most common ones include Cladosporium elatum, Cladosporium herbarum, Cladosporium sphaerospermum, and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Pathogenicity and Clinical SignificanceCladosporium species are causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, onychomycosis, sinusitis and pulmonary infections. Macroscopic Features
The growth
rate of Cladosporium colonies is moderate on potato dextrose agar
at 25°C and the texture is velvety to powdery. Similar to the other
dematiaceous fungi, the color is olivaceous green to black from the
front and black from the reverse. Most of the Cladosporium spp.
do not grow at temperatures above 35°C. Microscopic FeaturesCladosporium species produce septate brown hyphae, erect and pigmented conidiophores, and conidia. While the conidiophores of Cladosporium cladosporioides and Cladosporium sphaerospermum are not geniculate, those of Cladosporium herbarum have a geniculate appearance. In addition, conidiophores of Cladosporium herbarum bear terminal and intercalary swellings. Conidia of Cladosporium spp. in general are elliptical to cylindrical in shape, pale to dark brown in color and have dark hila. They occur in branching chains that readily disarticulate. Conidial wall is smooth or occasionally echinulate. Cladosporium cladosporioides produces unicellular conidia. On the other hand, those of Cladosporium herbarum are two-to four-celled. Cladosporium sphaerospermum produces elongate and septate shield cells which are also known as ramoconidia. Laboratory Precautions
Cladosporium
species should be handled with care in a biological safety cabinet. Susceptibility
Very limited
data are available on susceptibility profiles of Cladosporium species. |
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The
mycological information gathered and organized in this extensive
research on different Pathogenic Molds was sourced out from the
list of informative websites below: |
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