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Cladosporium is a common fungal genus found both indoors and outdoors, known for causing respiratory infections and weakening the immune system. It can also spoil crops and produce enzymes used in pharmaceuticals.
Cladosporium is a common fungal genus found both indoors and outdoors in a wide variety of climates around the world. It is one of the most commonly identified mushrooms in the field and can appear in a variety of forms. Some species colonize substrates, while others develop a parasitic relationship with organisms such as plants. People are most familiar with Cladosporium in the form of “black mold” that often lines the walls of homes in humid environments.
These fungi are olive green to black in color, depending on the species, forming colonies with a slightly powdery texture. They are propagated with spores, which typically link up in long dry chains. The links break easily, allowing an airborne chain to break to distribute the spores over a wide distance. Like many other molds, when the colony is disturbed, it can rupture to release a cloud of fungal material.
Indoors, Cladosporium species commonly cause problems because prolonged exposure appears to weaken the immune system, making people more susceptible to disease. These fungi can also cause respiratory infections, especially in people with existing respiratory problems such as asthma. Many of the fungi also produce toxins that stimulate allergic responses, making people with mold sensitivities very uncomfortable around Cladosporium.
Infections of the mucous membranes, sinuses, skin, and toenails have been reported in people with compromised immune systems who cannot fight the fungus on their own. Antifungal drugs can be used to treat such infections, although infection can lead to complications in some patients even with treatment. People considered to be immunocompromised, such as cancer patients and organ transplant recipients, may have difficulty avoiding Cladosporium infection because fungi are so common in the environment.
These fungi also produce compounds associated with the characteristic musty smell. For people who have walked into a home and were immediately knocked over by a strong musty smell, the culprit was likely Cladosporium. Cladosporium species have also been known to colonize and spoil crops or food.
One species of Cladosporium, C. herbarum, is used to produce enzymes used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. More classically, these enzymes convert certain steroid compounds into progesterone, a hormone used in birth control. Other industrial uses for various species may be discovered in the future, as more are identified and studied. The researchers also sequenced the genetic codes of some species to get more information about these mushrooms.
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