Dactylaria
Characteristics: No information is available regarding health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Dactylaria species comprise a very small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely related to Ochroconis and Scolecobasidium. Opinions differ regarding the taxonomy of these three genera and are considered by many to be synonyms. All three genera are listed in Ainsworth & Bisby’s Dictionary of the Fungi as legitimate genera. There have been several reports of opportunistic infections caused by these genera but a true pathogenic role has not been firmly established. No information is available regarding upper respiratory health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by culturable (Andersen) samples. Certain species of Dactylaria have somewhat distinctive spores which could be counted on spore trap samples if the presence of this genus has already been demonstrated (for example, on tape lifts). Natural habitat includes soil and decaying leaves.
Dicyma
Characteristics: No information is available regarding health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Dicyma species comprise a small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is the asexual phase of Ascotricha which is closely related to Chaetomium. No information is available regarding health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. Identified on surfaces by tape lifts, and tease mounts from bulk samples. Does not grow on general laboratory media. Dicyma spores could be counted on spore trap samples if the presence of this genus has already been demonstrated (for example, on tape lifts). (Spores are somewhat distinctive but may be confused with other genera.) Sources of growth include dead stems and leaves, paper, cardboard, cotton wool, woody materials and wallboard.
Doratomyces
Characteristics: No information is available regarding health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Doratomyces species comprise a small proportion of the fungal biota. The sporulating structures of Doratomyces form synnema (coremia), which are a gathering of conidiophores into a sort of flower bouquet. This genus is very closely related to Scopulariopsis, with identical sporulating mechanisms but without the formation of synnema. No information is available regarding health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by culturable (Andersen) samples. (Spores do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as “other colorless” on spore trap samples.) Natural habitat includes soil, compost, wood, herbaceous stems, oat seeds, decaying plant material and dung.
Drechslera/Bipolaris/Exserohilum Group
Characteristics: Common allergen Type I, occasional pathogen, not known to be toxigenic.
Description: Group includes Drechslera, Bipolaris, Exserohilum and the rare Helminthosporium. It is often found in soil, plant debris, and as a plant pathogen on grass with a dark grey to brown coloration. It is disseminated as a dry spore by the wind. For indoor growth this fungus can grow on various surfaces. As an allergen, it has been known to cause Type I symptoms of hay fever and asthma. As a pathogen, it has been rarely known to cause phaeohyphomycosis (keratitis, sinusitis, and osteomyelitis) most often occurring in immunocompromised persons, although infections also occur in normal hosts. One case of brain abscess reported in an immunocompromised patient. It is not considered a toxigenic agent.
