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Fusarium species exist as plant pathogens and are found on plant debris and in soil. Plant parasitic Fusarium causes wilting of many plants including crops such as tomatoes, bananas, sweet potatoes, pigeon peas, and pears. Some species of Fusarium are commonly isolated from seeds, especially those of cereals. Species of Fusarium also produce a number of different mycotoxins.

The Fusarium species are probably the most prevalent toxin-producing fungi in the northern temperate regions and are commonly found on cereals grown in the temperate regions of America, Europe and Asia. These toxins have been shown to cause a variety of toxic effects in both experimental animals and livestock and are also suspected of causing toxicity in humans.

In indoor environments Fusarium species are generally found under very wet conditions. They are commonly isolated from carpet and mattress dust, damp walls, wallpaper, polyester polyurethane foam, humidifier pans and areas where stagnant water occurs in HVAC systems. Some species cause keratitis in humans, and infect eyes and finger nails. Fusarium species are also an inhalation hazard.

Fusarium culmorum is born in soil and has a worldwide distribution. Indoors, it has been isolated from floor, carpet and mattress dust; damp wall and polyurethane foam. Fusarium culmorum is associated with allergy. It also produces vomitoxin, a trichothecene mycotoxin that causes a serious feed refusal and vomiting in animals fed contaminated feed.

Fusarium solani is a soil borne fungus found indoors in carpet and mattress dust; damp walls, wallpaper; polyester polyurethane foam; insulating cotton in duct liner; water pipes and humidifiers. Fusarium solani causes keratitis in humans. It is also associated with wounds and infections of the eyes and fingernails. It poses inhalation and deep skin (dermal) inoculation health risks to persons with weak immune systems. It also poses health risks related to major barrier breaks such as corneal perforation, major surgery, peritoneal or venous catheter presence, and injection drug use.

Fusarium verticillioides is soilborne. Indoors, it is found on humidifier pans and other areas where stagnant water occurs in HVAC systems. It is also found in mattress dust and on damp walls. Fusarium verticillioides causes keratitis in humans and invasive mycoses in immunocompromised people. It poses inhalation and deep skin (dermal) inoculation health risks to persons with weak immune systems. Fusarium verticillioides also poses the same health risks listed above under Fusarium solani.

NOTE: If you suspect you have been exposed to this fungus, it is probable that you have been exposed to some Mycotoxins produced by this fungus and will need to add that (Mycotoxin) remedy to your cart as well.

Exophiala is a widespread fungus commonly found in soil and sewage. It causes mycetoma and opportunistic infections in humans. This organism is recognized with increasing frequency as a cause of human disease. Human infection caused by Exophiala can be separated into three types: superficial infections, cutaneous and subcutaneous disease, and visceral or systemic disease.

Most cases of infection caused by Exophiala are included in the first two categories. Visceral or systemic disease is very rare. Cases of pneumonia, fungaemia, central nervous system infection, endocarditis and peritonitis have been reported. Systemic diseases have occurred mostly in patients with predisposing factors such as organ transplant, leukemia, cystic fibrosis, HIV infection and dialysis, catheter-related infection and cystic fibrosis.

Researchers tested home dishwashers and found Exophiala in 62% of them.

Epidermophyton is a genus of fungus found worldwide that causes superficial and cutaneous infection. Human beings are the primary host of Epidermophyton and it is found in soil.

This fungus can affect otherwise healthy people with dermatophytosis such as tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea cruris (jock itch), tinea pedis (athlete's foot), and onychomycosis or tinea unguium, a fungal infection of the nail bed. This infection is restricted to the nonliving cornified layers of epidermis.

Keratinized tissues restrict the dissemination of infection caused by dermatophytes. As with all forms of dermatophytosis, Epidermophyton infections are communicable and usually transmitted by contact, particularly in common showers and gym facilities.

Epicoccum is found worldwide. It is a very common invader of many different plant types, also infecting seeds from barley, oats, wheat, and corn. Moldy paper discoloration is frequently caused by Epicoccum and it produces the pigments carotene, torularhodin, and rhodoxanthin. Epicoccum is a "dry weather" spore more prevalent on dry, windy days, with counts higher in the late day. In California, counts were strongly associated with strawberry and artichoke harvests.

Epicoccum causes upper and lower respiratory tract disease. Compared to other fungi, the degree of Epicoccum skin sensitization is much greater than its prevalence in the air, producing the highest percentage of fungal skin test reactions in southeast Missouri.

Epicoccum sensitization appears ten-fold higher in hospitalized asthmatics than in mild community asthmatics. The thermotolerance of this fungus, with growth at 37°C, allows it to be a human pathogen. Phaeohyphomycosis, skin disease, has been reported with Epicoccum, as well as allergic fungal sinusitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis from a contaminated basement shower has been described.

Cryptococcus is found worldwide in the soil, usually in bird droppings, especially pigeon droppings - and in soil contaminated with bird droppings. Humans can get cryptococcal infection by inhalation of airborne fungi which are spread from these sources. Cryptococcosis is not known to be spread from person to person, animal to animal, or from animals to humans.

The most common species is Cryptococcus Neoformans. Infection may cause a pneumonia-like illness, with shortness of breath, coughing and fever. Skin lesions may also occur. Another common form of cryptococcosis is central nervous system infection, such as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms may include fever, headache, or a change in mental status.

Cryptococcus gattii is the second species known to cause infection. Spores appear to live in certain trees and the soil around trees. Eucaluptus plants seem to be a high carrier of this fungus. Humans can become infected by inhalation of airborne fungi which are spread from these sources. Infections with C. gattii have occurred in healthy persons without compromised immune systems and in persons with conditions affecting their immune system. A wide range of animals can also develop infection from C. gattii cryptococcosis.

Infection may cause a pneumonia-like illness, with shortness of breath, coughing, nausea, and fever. C. gattii infection can also cause a central nervous system infection, such as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms are as listed above and are estimated to begin anywhere from 2-14 months after exposure.

Coccidioides fungus causes Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis), an infection that occurs when spores of the fungus enter your body through the lungs. Valley fever is most commonly seen in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and in Central and South America. The infection is transmitted by breathing in fungal particles from soil and is not spread from person to person or from animals to people. The fungus changes its form when it infects a person, but this form cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

Most of the people who get the disease live in or visit places where the fungus is present in the soil. Exposure also occurs through engaging in activities that stir up dust such as construction, agricultural work, military field training and archeological exploration. Natural disasters such as dust storms and earthquakes can also expose people to the Coccidioides fungus. Those with a weakened immune system are more likely to develop a serious infection. People of Native American, African, or Philippine descent may also have more severe cases.

Most people with coccidioidomycosis never have symptoms. Others may feel as though they have a cold or flu. If symptoms occur, they typically start 5 to 21 days after exposure to the fungus. Common symptoms include: ankle, feet, and leg swelling, chest pain (can vary from mild to severe), cough (possibly producing blood-tinged phlegm (sputum), fever and night sweats, headache, joint stiffness and pain or muscle aches, loss of appetite, and painful, red lumps on lower legs (erythema nodosum).

The infection, in rare cases, spreads from the lungs through the bloodstream to involve the skin, bones, joints, lymph nodes, and central nervous system or other organs. This is called disseminated coccidioidomycosis and may include the following symptoms: change in mental status, enlarged or draining lymph nodes, joint swelling, severe lung symptoms, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light and weight loss.

This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its fruiting structure. Claviceps include about 50 known species, mostly in the tropical regions. Economically significant species include: C. purpurea (parasitic on grasses and cereals), C. fusiformis (on pearl millet, buffel grass), C. paspali (on dallis grass), and C. africana (on sorghum). C. purpurea most commonly affect outcrossing species such as rye (its most common host), as well as triticale, wheat (shown in photo) and barley. It rarely affects oats.

Ergot alkaloids have a wide range of biological activities which include effects on circulation and neurotransmission. Ergotism is the name for sometimes severe pathological syndromes affecting humans or animals that have ingested plant material containing ergot alkaloid, such as ergot-contaminated grains. The Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony (monks) specialized in treating ergotism victims with symptoms, such as severe burning sensations in the limbs. They used balms containing tranquilizing and circulation-stimulating plant extracts. Because of these monks, ergotism is commonly referred to as "St. Anthony's Fire". The burning sensations are caused by effects of ergot alkaloids on the vascular system due to vasoconstriction of blood vessels. This can lead to gangrene and loss of limbs due to severely restricted blood circulation.

The neurotropic activities of the ergot alkaloids may also cause hallucinations and irrational behaviour, convulsions, and even death. Other symptoms include strong uterine contractions, nausea, seizures, and unconsciousness. Since the Middle Ages, controlled doses of ergot were used to induce abortions and to stop maternal bleeding after childbirth.

Ergot extract has been used in pharmaceutical preparations, including Ergot alkaloids in products such as Cafergot (containing caffeine and ergotamine or ergoline) to treat migraine headaches, and ergometrine, used to induce uterine contractions and to control bleeding after childbirth. In addition to ergot alkaloids, Claviceps paspali also produces tremorgens (paspalitrem) which cause "paspalum staggers" in cattle.

Ergot contains no lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), it contains ergotamine, which is used to synthesize lysergic acid, an analog of and precursor for synthesis of LSD. Ergot sclerotia also naturally contain some amounts of lysergic acid.

NOTE: If you suspect you have been exposed to this fungus, it is probable that you have been exposed to some Mycotoxins produced by this fungus and you will need to add that

Cladosporium is a mold widely distributed in air and in rotten organic material usually associated with plants, wood products, and leather goods. It is frequently isolated as a contaminant on foods. Specific Cladosporium were isolated from fish and associated with findings of infection. Cladosporium is encountered in both outdoor and indoor air and is frequently found in elevated levels in water-damaged environments. Some species may be resistant to certain types of treated lumber. Cladosporium appears gray to black or very dark green and can have a powdery appearance. The genus Cladosporium includes over 30 species.

Because the spores are easily airborne, they are a common cause of respiratory problems, allergic reactions and can be an agent for hypersensitivity diseases. It is a parasite in infections of the skin, soft tissues or nails and has been documented in cases of Blastomycosis, Candidiasis, Chromoblastomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Entomophthoramycocis, Phaeophphomycocis and Keratomycosis.

Cladosporium has been shown to be a common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchi spasms; chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

Chaetomium is a fungal genus which contains around 80 known species of mold. These molds are among the group of molds which can cause health problems in humans as a result of prolonged exposure. These fungi like to live on cellulose, and are found on wood, compost, sheet rock, straw, and similar materials. The fungal colony can take as long as three weeks to mature in a cold environment, producing spores which spread the fungus via the wind. The colony starts out white, turning dark gray to olive when it is mature, with a cottony texture. The spores of Chaetomium fungi have a very distinctive lemon shape which makes them easy to identify, and the fungus has a signature musty odor.

Chaetomium globosum is the species most commonly found indoors. This species is of particular interest because it appears to produce mycotoxins, compounds which are detrimental to human health. These fungi have been definitively linked with allergies in people who are sensitive to molds. They appear to produce mutagenic mycotoxins which interfere with DNA replication in organisms like humans and other animals. Chaetomium are found on a variety of substrates containing cellulose including paper and plant compost. Several species have been reported to play a major role in the decomposition of cellulose-made materials. These fungi are able to dissolve the cellulose fibers in cotton and paper which causes the materials to disintegrate. This process is especially rapid under moist conditions.

This fungus is reported to be allergenic and a toxin. Unlike most mold pathogens, there is medical evidence to suggest that people who are exposed to Chaetomium may be predisposed to permanent neurological damage of the myelin sheath. A noticeably high incidence of autoimmune diseases have been linked to exposure of this mold such as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, etc. It has also been linked to certain forms of cancer. Similar to other fungal exposure, it can also cause permanent DNA damage. Fatalities due to Chaetomium atrobrunneum have been documented. Additional health issues like brain abscess, peritonitis, cutaneous lesions, and onychomycosis may also develop due to Chaetomium.

Blastomyces species cause Blastomycosis, a rare fungal infection usually acquired by inhaling the spores of Blastomyces. It is found in wood and soil after contaminated soil is disturbed by activities such as excavation, construction, digging, or wood clearing. It is not spread from person-to-person or from animal-to-person. Blastomycosis occurs most often in people that live in the central and southeastern United States, particularly in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys and the Great Lakes states.

The time between exposure and when symptoms develop varies widely, ranging from 21 to 100 days. The signs and symptoms of blastomycosis also vary among individuals. About 50% of people infected do not develop any symptoms or disease and the infection is resolved without treatment. However, some patients develop a chronic lung infection and/or the disease can spread to other areas of the body such as skin, bones, genitourinary system, or central nervous system.

Symptoms may include: Fever, Cough, Cough with blood, Shortness of breath, Muscle aches, Bone pain, Back pain, Chest pain, Fatigue, Weight loss and Skin sores (see photo).