From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stachybotrys is a genus of molds, or asexually-reproducing, filamentous fungi. Closely related to the genus Memnoniella,[1][2] most Stachybotrys species inhabit materials rich in cellulose.
The most infamous species, S. chartarum (also known as S. atra) is known as "black mold" or "toxic black mold," and is frequently associated with poor indoor air quality that arises after fungal growth on water-damaged building materials.[3] It is known to produce trichothecene mycotoxins including satratoxins.
[edit] Pathogenicity
[edit] Symptoms of Stachybotrys exposure in humans
Exposure to the mycotoxins present in Stachybotrys chartarum or Stachybotrys atra can have a wide range of effects. Depending on the length of exposure and volume of spores inhaled or ingested, symptoms can manifest as chronic fatigue or headaches, fever, irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and throat, sneezing, rashes, and chronic coughing. In severe cases of exposure or cases exacerbated by allergic reaction, symptoms can be extreme including nausea, vomiting, uncontrollable bowel movements, and bleeding in the lungs and nose. [4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Haugland, RA, Vesper SJ, Harmon SM (2001). "Phylogenetic relationships of Memnoniella and Stachybotrys species and evaluation of morphological features for Memnoniella species identification". Mycologia 93: 54–65. doi:10.2307/3761605.
- ^ Castlebury L, Rossman A, Sung G, Hyten A, Spatafora J (2004). "Multigene phylogeny reveals new lineage for Stachybotrys chartarum, the indoor air fungus". Mycol Res 108 (Pt 8): 864–72. doi:10.1017/S0953756204000607. PMID 15449591.
- ^ Fog Nielsen K (2003). "Mycotoxin production by indoor molds". Fungal Genet Biol 39 (2): 103–17. doi:10.1016/S1087-1845(03)00026-4. PMID 12781669.
- ^ Richard F. Progovitz. Black Mold Your Health and Your Home.. p. 97. http://theforagerpress.com/bookstore/blackmold/blackmold.htm.
[edit] Further reading
[edit] External links
