Acremonium sp. |
Mitosporic fungus. Hyphomycetes. | |
| Distribution | Where Found | Mode of Dissemination |
| Ubiquitous; cosmopolitan. Approx. 80-90 species. |
Soil, dead organic debris, hay, food stuffs./span> | Wet spore. Insect/water droplet. Wind (old growth). |
| Allergen | Potential Opportunist or Pathogen | Potential Toxin Production |
| Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma). Type III hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Humidifier lung. |
Mycetoma, keratitis, onychomycosis. Other rare infections reported in immunodeficient patients, and in persons with wound injuries. Most species of Acremonium do not grow at 37°C. | None other than cephalosporin (see industrial uses). |
| Growth Indoors | Industrial Uses | Other Comments |
| Widespread. Requires very wet conditions. |
Produces cephalosporins, an important class of antibiotics. | Formerly called Cephalosporium. |
| Characteristics: Growth/Culture | Notes on Spore Trap Recognition | Notes on Tape Lift Recognition |
| Grows well on all general fungal media. Small white or pale shades of pink, salmon colonies. Membranous or thinly velvety. | Not distinctive. Small one-celled, colorless spores. May be counted as "other colorless." Some spores are so small they may be missed. | Forms chains or slimy heads of conidia. Readily identifiable on tape lift samples. Often found growing with Stachybotrys. |
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| Definitions | References | Commentary | ||