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Mold Spores

All fungal species differ in the optimal conditions necessary for growth. Some required

conditions are available nutrients, temperature, and water availability. Water is paramount to all

fungal growth, however species differ in their required solute concentrations. Because water is

essential for mold growth, moisture control (humidity level at 50% and below) is necessary for

indoor mold prevention. Other methods for controlling mold growth indoors includes;

maintaining free flowing air indoors, adding mold inhibitors to paint, promptly repairing leaks,

using mold-specific cleaning products, and throwing away any carpet or upholstery that has been

soaked with water (The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Three types of toxic

molds are Stachybotrys chartarum, Aspergillus, and Penicillium marneffei.

Stachybotrys chartarum:

Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) germinates only when water with low

concentrations of dissolved solutes is available (Burge, 2005). S. chartarum is common in homes

damaged by flooding and environments low in nitrogen. This mold can cause mycotoxicosis in

humans and animals. Between 1993 and 1994, S. chartarum caused a condition known as “sick

building syndrome,” which caused pulmonary hemorrhages in infants. The best prevention of S.

chartarum indoors is moisture control and early cleanup of flood impacted buildings (Nelson,

2001).
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S. Chartarum in flooded basement (Nelson 2001)

Aspergillus

According to Dr. Burge, Aspergillus requires moisture with high concentrations of

carbon based compounds (sugars) that can be utilized. Aspergillus is typically found in soil and

areas with decaying plant matter. Exposure to Aspergillus can cause an allergic reaction in

individuals with asthma. If the individual has a preexisting lung cavity, the fungus can grow in

the cavity. The fungus may begin to invade surrounding lung tissue of individuals with a

compromised immune system and cause a condition known as necrotizing pulmonary

aspergillosis (Buratovich, 2014).

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Aspergillus (Encyclopedia Britannica 2016)

Penicillium marneffei

Penicillium molds lie in between Aspergillus and Stachybotrys chartarum in its solute

requirements in water (Burge, 2005). Penicillium is adapted to grow in low moisture conditions

and thrives at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Penicillium marneffei is a pathogenic species

of mold that cause systemic mycosis in in individuals infected with HIV. P. marneffei is

prevalent in Thailand, northeastern India, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Taiwan. It is carried

by rodents and found in the soil of their burrows (Vanittanakom, Cooper, Fisher, & Sirisanthana,

2006).
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Surface Penicillium marneffei colony (public domain)

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References

Buratovich, Michael A. (2014). Aspergillosis. In B. Auday, M. Buratovich, G. Marrocco and P.

Moglia (Ed.), Magill's Medical Guide, Seventh Edition. Hackensack: Salem. Retrieved

from https://online-salempress-com.db20.linccweb.org

Burge, H., Dr. (2005, March). Succession of Fungi. Retrieved March 26, 2018, from

https://www.emlab.com/s/sampling/env-report-01-2005.html

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017, October 25). Mold. Retrieved March 26,

2018, from https://www.cdc.gov/mold/control_mold.htm

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2016, January 21). Aspergillus. Retrieved March 26,

2018, from https://www.britannica.com/science/Aspergillus

Nelson, B. D. (2001). Stachybotrys chartarum: The Toxic Indoor Mold. Retrieved March 26,

2018, from http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Pages/Stachybotrys.aspx

Vanittanakom, N., Cooper, C. R., Fisher, M. C., & Sirisanthana, T. (2006). Penicillium marneffei

Infection and Recent Advances in the Epidemiology and Molecular Biology Aspects.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 19(1), 95–110. http://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.19.1.95-

110.2006