Cladosporium is a genus of fungi including some of the most common indoor and outdoor moulds. It produces olive-green to brown or black colonies, and its dark-pigmented conidia are formed in simple or branching chains. For other uses, see Scientific classification (disambiguation). ... Subkingdom/Phyla Chytridiomycota Blastocladiomycota Neocallimastigomycota Glomeromycota Zygomycota Dikarya (inc. ... The Deuteromycota are a form division of the fungi, including those fungi in which sexual reproduction is unknown. ... Johann Heinrich Friedrich Link (February 2, 1767 - January 1, 1850) was a German naturalist and botanist. ... Drawn image of Elias Magnus Fries Elias Magnus Fries (August 15, 1794 – February 8, 1878) was a Swedish botanist born at Femsjö in Smalandia. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Subkingdom/Phyla Chytridiomycota Blastocladiomycota Neocallimastigomycota Glomeromycota Zygomycota Dikarya (inc. ... Moldy cream cheese Molds (British English: moulds) are various fungi that cover surfaces as fluffy mycelium and usually produce masses of asexual, sometimes sexual spores. ...

The many species of Cladosporium are commonly found on living and dead plant material. Some species are plant pathogens; others parasitise other fungi. Cladosporium spores are wind-dispersed and they are often extremely abundant in outdoor air. Indoors Cladosporium species may grow on surfaces when moisture is present. A parasite is an organism that spends a significant portion of its life in or on the living tissue of a host organism and which causes harm to the host without immediately killing it. ...

Cladosporium fulvum, cause of tomato leaf mould, has been an important genetic model, in that the genetics of host resistance are understood. ^[1]

Health Effects

Cladosporium species are rarely pathogenic to humans, but have been reported to cause infections of the skin and toenails, as well as sinusitis and pulmonary infections. If left untreated, these infections could turn into respiratory infections like pneumonia. A pathogen or infectious agent is a biological agent that causes disease or illness to its host. ...

The airborne spores of Cladosporium species are significant allergens, and in large amounts they can severely affect asthmatics and people with respiratory diseases. Prolonged exposure may weaken the immune system. Cladosporium species produce no major mycotoxins of concern, but do produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with odours. An allergen is any substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. ... Mycotoxin (from Gk. ... This article describes a highly specialized aspect of its subject in the Terminology and legal definitions section. ...

References

External links

• Cladosporium at Doctor Fungus
• Cladosporium at D. Malloch's site
• Cladosporium at EMLab