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Article Title:
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Fungal Infection of The Lungs

Article Description:
====================

The most common type of mold encountered by certified mold
inspectors are Penicillium and Aspergillus, These two genera
(large groups of closely related types) each has has nearly 200
species.


Additional Article Information:
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727 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line
Distribution Date and Time: 2007-06-21 11:00:00

Written By: Daryl Watters
Copyright: 2007
Contact Email: mailto:daryl.watters@...



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Fungal Infection of The Lungs
Copyright (c) 2007 Daryl Watters
A Accredited Mold Inspection Service, Inc.
http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us



The most common type of mold encountered by certified mold
inspectors are Penicillium and Aspergillus, These two genera
(large groups of closely related types) each has has nearly 200
species.

Because Penicillium and Aspergillus spores look the same under
the microscope both groups are lumped together in lab reports and
simply referred to as pen / asp. In healthy persons with
allergies these molds often cause allergic reactions, in
unhealthy persons these same molds can in rare cases even cause
infections especially lung infections.

Aspergillosis Information

According to various scientific studies and this mold
investigators personal experience, Aspergillus species are by far
the most common molds found in water damaged homes. It is very
often green or sometimes brown, or black, and it is not uncommon
to find white varieties growing on clothes in humid closets.

If you have cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy, are taking
high doses of steroid medications, have lungs damaged by previous
TB infections, or have a weakened immune system, you may be more
likely to develop Aspergillosis, which is the non invasive growth
of Aspergillus fungus balls in the lungs. These fungus balls are
about 1/8 to 1 inch or so in size and are round or shaped as a
half-moon. Sometimes, an infected person will cough one up since
they are usually loose or will have allergic reactions to the
mold in the lungs. The condition can be very serious and should
be diagnosed by a doctor usually via biopsy or X-rays. Treatment
may involve various antibiotics.

In 2004, I conducted a certified mold inspection on a property in
West Palm Beach, Florida where the tenant had Aspergillus niger
growing in her lungs. In the same year, I did a mold inspection
on a doctor's moldy condo unit in Ft Lauderdale Florida. One of
the doctor's patients, had a serious and rare case of
Aspergillosis, where the mold became invasive and thus has
started to grow not just loose inside the lungs, but was
spreading deep into the lung tissue and other parts of the body.


The three most common causes of this condition are the following
species of mold growing in the lungs all three are commonly
encountered growing in homes by certified mold inspectors:

* Aspergillus fumigatus

* Aspergillus flavus

* Aspergillus niger

Aspergillus flavus

Aw 0.78.Conidia dimensions 3-6 microns or 3-5 microns. It grows
on moldy corn and peanuts. It can be found in warm soil, foods
and dairy products. Some strains are capable of producing a group
of mycotoxins - in the aflatoxins group. Aflatoxins are known as
an animal carcinogen. There is limited evidence to suggest that
this toxin is a human carcinogen. The toxin is poisonous to
humans by ingestion. It may also result in occupational disease
via inhalation.

Experiments have indicated that it is teratogenic and mutagenic.
It is toxic to the live and reported to be allergenic. Its
presence is associated with reports of asthma, and can be found
in water-damaged carpets.

The production of the fungal toxin is dependent on the growth
conditions and on the substrate used as a food source. This
fungus is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or
disseminated aspergillosis. This fungus is occasionally
identified as the cause of corneal, otomycotic and nasal orbital
infections.

Aspergillus fumigatus

Aw 0.82; Optimum 0.97. Conidia dimensions 2-3.5 microns. This is
the major cause of aspergillosis. Both invasive and allergic
aspergillosis are caused by this organism. Aspergillosis affects
individuals who are immune-compromised. It is considered a human
pathogen. It grows well at 35 degrees C and is commonly found
outdoors in compost piles with temperatures higher than 40
degrees C, in mild to warm soils and on cereals.

Aspergillus niger

Aw 0.77; Optimum 0.97. Conidia dimensions 3.5 - 5 microns or 4 to
5 microns. This is a less common cause of aspergillosis. It has a
musty odor. It is commonly found in the environment on textiles,
in soils, and on grains, fruits and vegetables. It has been
reported to cause skin and pulmonary infections. It is a common
cause of fungi-related ear infections-otomycosis. This is one of
the most common aspergillus species encountered by this certified
mold inspector in severely water damaged buildings. For most
certified inspectors, it is the only species of aspergillus that
can be specifically identified under the microscope by species.
The spores look like sea urchin shells without the spines.




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Daryl Watters has a bachelors degree in education for teaching biology
and general science and is a certified mold inspector, certified home
inspector, and certified indoor environmentalist providing building
inspections in South Florida since 1993. For more information visit
http://www.floridamoldinspectors.us http://www.florida-mold-inspection.com



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