Fungus/Mold/Yeast

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).

Aspergillus is a fungus whose spores are present in the air we breathe. Aspergillus molds are found world-wide, especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. The genus includes over 150 species but only a few of these molds are thought to cause illness in humans and animals. The photo shows the mold growing inside a lung cavity.

Most people are naturally immune and do not develop disease caused by Aspergillus. However, when disease does occur, it takes several forms. The type of diseases caused by Aspergillus are varied, ranging from an "allergy"-type illness to life-threatening generalized infections. Diseases caused by Aspergillus are called aspergillosis. The severity of aspergillosis is determined by various factors but one of the most important is the state of the immune system of the person, and health of the lungs.

Aspergillus can cause a broad spectrum of disease in the human host, ranging from hypersensitivity reactions to direct angioinvasion (invaded blood or lymph vessels). Aspergillus primarily affects the lungs causing 4 main syndromes which include: allergic bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA), chronic necrotizing Aspergillus pneumonia (or chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis [CNPA]), aspergilloma (a fungus ball [mycetoma] that develops in a preexisting cavity in the lung parenchyma) and invasive aspergillosis infection in many organs of the body. Aspergillus is second to Candida species as a cause of fungal endocarditis. Aspergillus -related endocarditis and wound infections occur in the context of cardiac surgery.

Sources of increased risk include: dirty air conditioning units, old books, compost heaps and damp or flood-damaged housing. All of these can yield very high numbers of aspergillus spores.

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

The mold Alternaria is comprised of about 40-50 species. It is commonly found in plants, soil, food (that is alternaria mold rot in photo), and indoor air. It also grows on many materials if they remain damp, including textiles, stored food, canvas, cardboard, paper, electric cables, polyurethane, jet fuel, sewage and effluents. Airborne spores of Alternaria alternata and Alternaria tenuissima are found in very high numbers in the outdoor environment during summer. The presence of Alternaria together with other molds in an indoor environment is indicative of humid conditions.

Alternaria has airborne spores and mycelial fragments which cause allergic symptoms in individuals with rhinitis or bronchial asthma sometimes leading to severe and potentially fatal asthma. Studies have shown that up to 70 % of mold-allergic patients have skin test reactivity to Alternaria. Prolonged heavy exposure to Alternaria may cause symptoms similar to that of other allergens such as cat dander and dust mites and is often an opportunistic pathogen causing skin disease particularly in immune-compromised patients such as bone marrow transplant patients.

The genus Acremonium currently contains about 100 species, of which most are isolated from dead plant material and soil.

Many species of Acremonium are recognized as opportunistic pathogens of man and animals, causing mycetoma (fungal growths endemic in Africa and India) and onychomycosis (nail fungus, or ringworm of the nail -- although most nail fungus is caused by Trichophyton). Clinical manifestations of hyalohyphomycosis (other mold related infections) caused by Acremonium include: arthritis, osteomyelitis, peritonitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, cerebritis and subcutaneous infection.

A class of β-lactam antibiotics were originally derived from Acremonium.