Fungal Infection of The Lungs

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Article Title:

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Fungal Infection of The Lungs

Article Description:

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The most common type of mold encountered by certified mold

inspectors are Penicillium and Aspergillus, These two genera

(large groups of closely related types) each has has nearly 200

species.

Additional Article Information:

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727 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2007-06-21 11:00:00

Written By: Daryl Watters

Copyright: 2007

Contact Email: mailto:daryl.watters@...

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Fungal Infection of The Lungs

Copyright © 2007 Daryl Watters

A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc.

http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us

The most common type of mold encountered by certified mold

inspectors are Penicillium and Aspergillus, These two genera

(large groups of closely related types) each has has nearly 200

species.

Because Penicillium and Aspergillus spores look the same under

the microscope both groups are lumped together in lab reports and

simply referred to as pen / asp. In healthy persons with

allergies these molds often cause allergic reactions, in

unhealthy persons these same molds can in rare cases even cause

infections especially lung infections.

Aspergillosis Information

According to various scientific studies and this mold

investigators personal experience, Aspergillus species are by far

the most common molds found in water damaged homes. It is very

often green or sometimes brown, or black, and it is not uncommon

to find white varieties growing on clothes in humid closets.

If you have cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy, are taking

high doses of steroid medications, have lungs damaged by previous

TB infections, or have a weakened immune system, you may be more

likely to develop Aspergillosis, which is the non invasive growth

of Aspergillus fungus balls in the lungs. These fungus balls are

about 1/8 to 1 inch or so in size and are round or shaped as a

half-moon. Sometimes, an infected person will cough one up since

they are usually loose or will have allergic reactions to the

mold in the lungs. The condition can be very serious and should

be diagnosed by a doctor usually via biopsy or X-rays. Treatment

may involve various antibiotics.

In 2004, I conducted a certified mold inspection on a property in

West Palm Beach, Florida where the tenant had Aspergillus niger

growing in her lungs. In the same year, I did a mold inspection

on a doctor's moldy condo unit in Ft Lauderdale Florida. One of

the doctor's patients, had a serious and rare case of

Aspergillosis, where the mold became invasive and thus has

started to grow not just loose inside the lungs, but was

spreading deep into the lung tissue and other parts of the body.

The three most common causes of this condition are the following

species of mold growing in the lungs all three are commonly

encountered growing in homes by certified mold inspectors:

* Aspergillus fumigatus

* Aspergillus flavus

* Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus flavus

Aw 0.78.Conidia dimensions 3-6 microns or 3-5 microns. It grows

on moldy corn and peanuts. It can be found in warm soil, foods

and dairy products. Some strains are capable of producing a group

of mycotoxins - in the aflatoxins group. Aflatoxins are known as

an animal carcinogen. There is limited evidence to suggest that

this toxin is a human carcinogen. The toxin is poisonous to

humans by ingestion. It may also result in occupational disease

via inhalation.

Experiments have indicated that it is teratogenic and mutagenic.

It is toxic to the live and reported to be allergenic. Its

presence is associated with reports of asthma, and can be found

in water-damaged carpets.

The production of the fungal toxin is dependent on the growth

conditions and on the substrate used as a food source. This

fungus is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or

disseminated aspergillosis. This fungus is occasionally

identified as the cause of corneal, otomycotic and nasal orbital

infections.

Aspergillus fumigatus

Aw 0.82; Optimum 0.97. Conidia dimensions 2-3.5 microns. This is

the major cause of aspergillosis. Both invasive and allergic

aspergillosis are caused by this organism. Aspergillosis affects

individuals who are immune-compromised. It is considered a human

pathogen. It grows well at 35 degrees C and is commonly found

outdoors in compost piles with temperatures higher than 40

degrees C, in mild to warm soils and on cereals.

Aspergillus niger

Aw 0.77; Optimum 0.97. Conidia dimensions 3.5 - 5 microns or 4 to

5 microns. This is a less common cause of aspergillosis. It has a

musty odor. It is commonly found in the environment on textiles,

in soils, and on grains, fruits and vegetables. It has been

reported to cause skin and pulmonary infections. It is a common

cause of fungi-related ear infections-otomycosis. This is one of

the most common aspergillus species encountered by this certified

mold inspector in severely water damaged buildings. For most

certified inspectors, it is the only species of aspergillus that

can be specifically identified under the microscope by species.

The spores look like sea urchin shells without the spines.

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Daryl Watters has a bachelors degree in education for teaching biology

and general science and is a certified mold inspector, certified home

inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing building

inspections in South Florida since 1993. For more information visit

http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com