Cladosporium

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus 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 indoor and outdoor. Some species may be resistant to certain types of treated lumber. Cladosporium appears gray to black or very dark green and can have a powdery appearance.

Genome structure

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

Cell structure and metabolism

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology

Most commonly identified outdoor fungus. The outdoor numbers are reduced in the winter. The numbers are often high in the summer. Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoor numbers. Indoor Cladosporium 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.