Cladosporium

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Cladosporium

Cladosporium

Classification

Higher order taxa

Eukaryota; Fungi/Metazoa group; Fungi; Ascomycota; Pezizomycotina; Dothideomycetes et Chaetothyriomycetes incertae sedis; Mycosphaerellaceae; mitosporic Mycosphaerellaceae

Species

Cladosporium elatum, Cl. Herbarum, Cl. Sphaerospermum, and Cl. cladosporioides

Description and significance

Cladosporium is found in the phylum Ascomycota. There are over 400 different species. Cladosporium is a pigmented mold most often found to be airborne or on rotten organic matter. It is found both indoors and outdoors. Colonies range from a dark green to black color. They are relatively slow-growing. The dark spores are normally one to two celled and occur in long, branching chains that arise from a dark conidiophore. The youngest spores are those found at the top of the chain. The most effective way to distinguish the genus is by the prominent scars on the spores where the adjacent spores were attached. Some species may be resistant to certain types of treated lumber.

Genome structure

There has not been any research done to determine the genome sequence of any Cladosporium spp.

Cell structure and metabolism

The results of a study done by San-Blas Gioconda showed that the cell walls of Cladosporium were composed mainly of galactose, hexoses, and some mannose. However, chitin and melanin were not found in the cell structure.

Ecology

Cladosporium is the most common identified outdoor fungus. However their numbers greatly reduced in the winterand increase greatly in the summer. Cladosporium is also found indoors but at lower concentrations. Indoor Cladosporium species may be different than the species identified outdoors. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. A wide variety of plants are food sources for this fungus. It is found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles. Produces greater than 10 antigens. Antigens in commercial extracts are of variable quality and may degrade within weeks of preparation.

Pathology

These fungi are the causative agents of skin lesions, keratitis, nail fungus, sinusitis, asthma, and pulmonary infections. Acute symptoms of exposure to Cladosporium are edema and bronchiospasms, and chronic exposure may lead to pulmonary emphysema. More commonly, it is a more causative factor for intrinsic asthma.

Current Research

Enter summarries of the most rescent research here--at least three required

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

(Classification) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=5498&lvl=3&p=mapview&p=has_linkout&p=blast_url&p=genome_blast&lin=f&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock

(Description) http://www.doctorfungus.org/thefungi/cladosporium.htm http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/414/0/

(Cell Structure and Metabolism) http://www.fgsc.net/fungalgenetics2001/popbioabs.htm

Ecology http://www.mold-help.org/content/view/414/0/

Pathology http://healthandenergy.com/cladosporium.htm

Gioconda, San-Blas et. al.“Cladosporium carrionii and Hormoconis resinae (C. resinae): Cell Wall and Melanin Studie” Current Microbiology. < http://www.springerlink.com/content/u42kr28t882gc2qm/ >