Ochroconis
Characteristics: 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.
Description: Ochroconis species comprise a very small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely related to Dactylaria 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 Ochroconis 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.
Oedocephalum
Characteristics: No information is available regarding health effects, or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Oedocephalum species comprise a small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is related to Gonatobotrys and possibly to Amblyosporium. 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) and spore trap samples. (Spores have distinctive morphology.) Reported isolations include soil and waste compost. Our laboratory has isolated this organism occasionally from dust samples. It sporulates on initial isolation but forms only sterile mycelia on subsequent transfer.
Oidiodendron
Characteristics: As to health effects, one isolation from a case of neurodermitis nuchae in 1969 exists for Oidiodendron cerealis/Stephanosporium cereale, with no reports for other Oidiodendron species. No information is available regarding toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Oidiodendron species are common but comprise a small proportion of the fungal biota. This genus is most closely related to Geomyces and Arthrographis. Oidiodendron cerealis is quite distinct from other Oidiodendron species and is placed in a separate genus Stephanosporium by some taxonomists. As to health effects, one isolation from a case of neurodermitis nuchae in 1969 exists for Oidiodendron cerealis/Stephanosporium cereale, with no reports for other Oidiodendron species. 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) sampling. Stephanosporium has distinctive spores and can also be recognized on spore trap samples. (Spores of other Oidiodendron species are arthrospores without distinctive morphology and would be categorized as such on spore trap samples.) Natural habitat includes soil, litter, wood, and bark. Stephanosporium cereale has been isolated from air, paper, soil, and textiles.
Oidium
Characteristics: No information is available regarding health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied.
Description: Oidium is the asexual state of Erysiphe. Erysiphe species are plant pathogens, one of the genera causing powdery mildews. Erysiphe is very common and is an obligate parasite on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of living higher plants. No information is available regarding health effects or toxicity. Allergenicity has not been studied. The asexual phase Oidium may be identified in air on spore trap samples, (spores have distinctive morphology), although because obligate parasites cannot grow on non living environmental surfaces, our laboratory does not include Erysiphe on our spore trap report form. The asexual spores are also seen in dust as part of the normal influx of outdoor microbial particles.
Ophiostoma Ceratocysitis
Characteristics: As an allergen is has not been studied. Persons most likely to be affected would be lumber-yard workers or carpenters. As a pathogen it has not been reported to infect humans or animals. A connection between Ophiostoma and the human pathogen Sporothrix schenckii has been proposed but not confirmed. There is no potential toxin production.
Description: It grows indoors. Most homes built with lumber have areas of growth on wood framing inside walls. On spore trap recognition, it’s not identifiable. On rare occasions the spores of Gonatobotryum, which grows parasitically on Ceratocystis, are seen on spore trap samples (an indirect indication of the presence of this group of fungi). On swab or tape lift samples, it has a distinctive fruiting bodies with long necks are easily identifiable.
Other Brown
Characteristics: No Health Data Available
Description: Spores with no distinct morphology. Health effects cannot be quantified.
Other Colorless
Characteristics: No Health Data Available
Description: All non distinctive unidentifiable colorless spores seen on spore trap samples are placed into this category. These are all the genera described by the sentence: Spores do not have distinctive morphology and would be categorized as “other colorless” on spore trap samples.
ERMI is the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index – the combination of EPA research, powerful PCR technology, and a new method to screen buildings for mold and other contaminants.
