Lasiodiplodia Theobromae
Characteristics: Rare health effects have been reported. No information is available regarding toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Lasiodiplodia (monotypic) comprises a very small proportion of the fungal biota. It is a common plant pathogen in tropical and subtropical regions. Reports of health effects include keratitis, onychomycosis, corneal ulcer, and phaeohyphomycosis (one report of each since 1975). No information is available regarding 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) and spore trap samples. (Spores have distinctive morphology.) This genus is found world wide between 40°N and 40°S of the equator (includes roughly the south half of the United States). Natural habitat includes many different kinds of plants. Formerly called Botryodiplodia theobromae.
Leptosphaeria
Characteristics: No information is available regarding other inhalation health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Leptosphaeria species are common, and are closely related to other ascomycetes such as Venturia and Pleospora. Grows saprophytically and also as a plant pathogen. Leptosphaeria senegalensis and L. thompkinsii are two of the agents of human mycetoma in Africa. No information is available regarding other inhalation health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. Leptosphaeria will grow in the laboratory but needs specialized media. May be identified on surfaces by tape lifts, tease mounts from bulk samples, and in air by spore trap samples. (Spores have distinctive morphology.) However, our laboratory does not count this organism separately from other ascomycetes (all are placed into the category “Ascospores”). Natural habitat includes leaves and culms of a great many grasses, dead herbaceous stems, and driftwood.
