Fungus/Mold/Yeast

Trichosporon species are widely distributed in nature. Species have been isolated from a wide range of substrates including: human hair (shown in photo), soil, cabbages, cheese, scarab beetles, parrot droppings,...

There are twenty two species under the genus Trichophyton. Within the total number of species, eleven are commonly associated with tinea (ringworm) of the scalp, the nails, and the skin...

Stachybotrys is a cellulose-degrading fungus (mold) commonly found in soil and on materials rich in cellulose such as hay, straw, cereal grains, plant debris, wood pulp, paper, and cotton. Although...

Sporotrichosis is a subacute or chronic infection caused by the soil fungus Sporothrix. It is often referred to as "rose handler's disease". Infection with the dimorphic soil fungus is usually...

Rhodotorula is a common environmental inhabitant. It can be cultured from soil, water, and air samples. It is able to scavenge nitrogenous compounds from its environment remarkably well, growing even...

Fungi in the Rhizopus genus are often responsible for zygomycosis, an infection caused by colonization with fungi in the Zygomycetes class. These fungi also have some practical functions, and they...

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) or pneumocystosis is a form of pneumonia, caused by the yeast-like fungus found in the respiratory tracts of many mammals and humans. Studies suggest that Pneumocystis organisms...

Piedra, which means "stone" in Spanish, is an asymptomatic superficial fungal infection of the hair shaft. Piedra is classified into 2 types, black piedra and white piedra. The source of...

Penicillium species are very common molds. About 200 species have been described. Spores of Penicillium are found everywhere in the air and soil. Penicillium species are some of the most...

Paecilomyces is a fungal genus which can be found widely distributed around the world in dirt, food, and dead plant material. Many environments, including homes, naturally have some Paecilomyces species....

Mycotoxins are toxic, secondary metabolites produced by fungi commonly known as mold. They are neither infectious nor contagious. Inhalation of mycotoxin producing fungi in contaminated buildings is the most significant...

Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic infection caused by fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. These molds are widespread in nature, as they exist on soil, decaying vegetation, fruits, and...

Mucor contains an estimated 40 species. Members of the Mucor genus can be found living all over the world in a wide variety of environments, from the forest to the...

Microsporum ringworm, a fungus that causes a skin infection called ringworm, can pass from animals to people. It is characterized by skin lesions and small scaly patches that do not...

Malassezia, otherwise known as Pityrosporum folliculitis (PF) is an inflammatory skin disorder that typically manifests as a pruritic (itching), follicular papulopustular eruption (pus filled blisters) distributed on the upper trunk...

Histoplasma causes Histoplasmosis, a disease usually affecting the lungs, but can infect other parts of the body as well. The photo shows skin lesions caused by fungus. Histoplasmosis is the...

Geotrichum is a widespread species in soil, water and air. It is also common in polluted water and sewage effluents, paper pulp and on textiles. It is widely found as...

Fusarium species exist as plant pathogens and are found on plant debris and in soil. Plant parasitic Fusarium causes wilting of many plants including crops such as tomatoes, bananas, sweet...

Exophiala is a widespread fungus commonly found in soil and sewage. It causes mycetoma and opportunistic infections in humans. This organism is recognized with increasing frequency as a cause of...

Epidermophyton is a genus of fungus found worldwide that causes superficial and cutaneous infection. Human beings are the primary host of Epidermophyton and it is found in soil. This fungus...

Epicoccum is found worldwide. It is a very common invader of many different plant types, also infecting seeds from barley, oats, wheat, and corn. Moldy paper discoloration is frequently caused...

Cryptococcus is found worldwide in the soil, usually in bird droppings, especially pigeon droppings - and in soil contaminated with bird droppings. Humans can get cryptococcal infection by inhalation of...

Coccidioides fungus causes Valley fever (also called coccidioidomycosis), an infection that occurs when spores of the fungus enter your body through the lungs. Valley fever is most commonly seen in...

This fungus grows on rye and related plants, and produces alkaloids that can cause ergotism in humans and other mammals who consume grains contaminated with its fruiting structure. Claviceps include...

Cladosporium is a mold widely distributed in air and in rotten organic material usually associated with plants, wood products, and leather goods. It is frequently isolated as a contaminant on...

Chaetomium is a fungal genus which contains around 80 known species of mold. These molds are among the group of molds which can cause health problems in humans as a...

Blastomyces species cause Blastomycosis, a rare fungal infection usually acquired by inhaling the spores of Blastomyces. It is found in wood and soil after contaminated soil is disturbed by activities...

Aspergillus is a fungus whose spores are present in the air we breathe. Aspergillus molds are found world-wide, especially in the autumn and winter in the Northern hemisphere. The genus...

The mold Alternaria is comprised of about 40-50 species. It is commonly found in plants, soil, food (that is alternaria mold rot in photo), and indoor air. It also grows...

The genus Acremonium currently contains about 100 species, of which most are isolated from dead plant material and soil. Many species of Acremonium are recognized as opportunistic pathogens of man...

Absidia species are ubiquitous in most environments. They are often associated with warm decaying plant matter, like in compost piles. The best known species is the pathogenic Absidia corymbifera, which...

While the term fungus or mold may conjure up thoughts like slimy, green, smelly and rotten, fungi serve a very important role on our planet. Fungi (molds) recycle garbage and...