Guest guest Posted February 7, 2002 Report Share Posted February 7, 2002 Types of mold found at Sunset Elementary School All of these molds are generally harmless to most people, said Colleen McDermott, an associate professor and head of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh's biology and microbiology department. There are some that can cause health problems in some people who are allergic to molds or of they have weakened immune systems, McDermott said. Each of the molds listed below were found in the Oshkosh Area School District's Sunset Elementary School. They are not listed in any particular order or importance. * Aspergillus Versicolor: * Aspergillus Glaucus: *Aspergillus Ochraceus: The molds of the Aspergillus group can cause opportunistic infections, allergic reactions and toxicoses. The mold can cause bronchitis, pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Colonization of the respiratory tract is common. The development and severity of the disease depends upon the state of the immune system of the person infected. * Stachybotrys Chartarum: This mold has been isolated from contaminated grains, tobacco, insulator foams, indoor air, and water-damaged buildings. Stachybotrys can also produce toxins that are potent inhibitors of DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis. Stachybotrys has been linked with " sick building syndrome. " It inhabits buildings with major problems in mechanical system design, construction, and operational strategies, leading to excess indoor moisture. However, it is less common compared to other mold. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria and Cladosporium are more frequently isolated under these settings. Between 1993 to 1998, several cases of acute lung bleeding were reported in infants and Stachybotrys was cultivated in their water-damaged houses. The initial cases consisted of 37 infants living in a limited geographic area in Cleveland, Ohio. Later, reports on additional cases followed. However, the study that linked the mold to the deaths has been disputed by the Centers for Disease Control and by Jon Woods, a University of Wisconsin-Madison microbiology expert. * Cladosporium: Cladosporium is widely distributed in air and rotten organic material and frequently seen as a contaminant on foods. Types of Cladosporium can cause skin lesions, inflammation of the cornea of the eye as well as sinus and lung infections. Bottom of Form 0 * Penicillium: Penicillium can cause eye and skin infections that can lead to eye infections, and infections to the smooth transparent serious membrane that lines the cavity of the abdomen. For the most part Penicillium is usually harmless but it can cause infections in people who are allergic to molds or those with suppressed immune systems. * Aureobasidium Pullulans: Aureobasidium pullulans can cause fungal infections of the eyes and skin. It may cause infections in the lungs and eyes as well as other infections. It is usually harmless but it can cause infections in people who are allergic to molds or those with suppressed immune systems. * Alternaria: Alternaria is prone to attack people with damaged immune systems such as bone marrow transplant patients. The mold causes skin and eye infections and excessive growth of body parts. In those who have damaged immune systems, Alternaria colonizes the paranasal sinuses, leading to chronic infections. It is among causes of inflammation of the ear in agricultural field workers. This is marked by pain, dizziness and abnormalities in hearing. * Basidiomycete: A common indication of fungus, such as mushrooms. * Acremonium: Common in soil, plant debris, rotting mushrooms, etc. Acremonium is one of the causative agents of eumycotic white grain mycetoma. Rare cases of skin and eye infections as well as tumors, meningitis, peritonitis due to Acremonium have also been reported. * Paecilomyces Lilacinus: Currently, it is used for controlling plant parasitic worms. The mold is used opposed to chemicals. It is used to control cyst and root knot worms in some parts of the world and known to be an effective egg parasite. Source: www.doctorfungus.org Dr. Fungus.org is dedicated to timely dissemination of information about fungal infections via the world-wide web. The information provided on the site is primarily intended for physicians. However, it has been written with minimal medical terminology so it can be used by those who wish to further their understanding of their illness. http://www.wisinfo.com/northwestern/local/020502-2.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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