Aspergillus has close to 200 species and varieties. This mold is widely distributed from the arctic region to the tropics and is frequently found in air, soil, and stored agricultural products. Aspergillus was first catalogued in 1729 by the Italian priest and biologist Pier Antonio Micheli. After viewing the fungi under a microscope, Micheli was reminded of the shape of an aspergillum (holy water sprinkler), and named the genus accordingly.
Harmful effects of Aspergillus to our lives
Many species can cause infection in humans and other animals. Some infections found in animals have been studied for years. Some species found in animals have been described as new and specific to the investigated disease and others have been known as names already in use for organisms such as saprophytes. For humans there is a range of diseases such as infection to the external ear, skin lesions, and ulcers classed as mycetomas. Some of this species of mold can cause serious health issues in humans and animals, and can be pathogenic. The most common causing mold types are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin which is both a toxin and a carcinogen, and which can potentially contaminate foods such as nuts. The most common species causing allergic disease is Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus clavatus.
Species of Aspergillus produce dry, hydrophobic spores that are easily inhaled. Inhaling spores of Aspergillus, particularly those of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus frequently cause pulmonary aspergillosis, either allergic, or invasive or a combination of the two. Aspergillus flavus produces the highly potent mycotoxin called aflatoxin which over the years has been reported as the cause of death in humans and animals. In 2004 aflatoxin killed over 100 people in an East African country who consumed grains infested by Aspergillus flavus. Many other species of Aspergillus such as Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus versicolor are also known to be toxigenic or allergenic. Instant action is required when growth of these molds appear in occupied indoor environment.
Because of their ability to produce a large number of enzymes, species of Aspergillus are capable of utilizing an enormous variety of organic material for food. Therefore, under humid conditions, Aspergillus species grow on leather, cloth fabrics and books reducing their value and imparting musty odor to these items. Several species are frequently found on grains and exposed foodstuffs where they cause decay and subsequent loss of food.
Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. The most common subtype among paranasal sinus infections associated with aspergillosis is aspergillus fumigatus. The symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain or breathlessness, which also occur in many other illnesses so diagnosis can be difficult. Usually, only patients with already weakened immune systems or who suffer other lung conditions are susceptible.
Occurrence of Aspergillus species in indoor environmentSpecies of Aspergillus have been isolated from damp walls, wallpaper, PVC/paper wall covering, gypsum board, floor, carpet and mattress dust, upholstered-furniture dust , acrylic paint, UFFI, leather, HVAC insulations, filters and fans, humidifier water, shoes, leather, bird droppings, potted plant soil, plastic and decomposing wood.Aspergillus fumigatus is frequently found in kitchens and bathrooms while in mattresses and carpets, Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus repens are common. Asperillus versicolor and Aspergillus fumigatus are also common in basements. Species of Aspergillus frequently found in flower pot soil are Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.Generally the amount of airborne spores of Aspergillus in indoor air is higher than outdoors at any given time. In the home, the amount of airborne spores is significantly increased when cleaning is carried out mechanically, for example, when carpets are vacuum cleaned.
It is important to make sure your home is free of this damaging and life threatening mold. We at East Coast Mold Specialist are professionals and have over a decade of experience in handling inspection and mold remediation. We use the most advance technologies in order to detect mold, from infrared imaging, swab sampling, air sampling, all laboratory tested.
Harmful effects of Aspergillus to our lives
Many species can cause infection in humans and other animals. Some infections found in animals have been studied for years. Some species found in animals have been described as new and specific to the investigated disease and others have been known as names already in use for organisms such as saprophytes. For humans there is a range of diseases such as infection to the external ear, skin lesions, and ulcers classed as mycetomas. Some of this species of mold can cause serious health issues in humans and animals, and can be pathogenic. The most common causing mold types are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Aspergillus flavus produces aflatoxin which is both a toxin and a carcinogen, and which can potentially contaminate foods such as nuts. The most common species causing allergic disease is Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus clavatus.
Species of Aspergillus produce dry, hydrophobic spores that are easily inhaled. Inhaling spores of Aspergillus, particularly those of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus frequently cause pulmonary aspergillosis, either allergic, or invasive or a combination of the two. Aspergillus flavus produces the highly potent mycotoxin called aflatoxin which over the years has been reported as the cause of death in humans and animals. In 2004 aflatoxin killed over 100 people in an East African country who consumed grains infested by Aspergillus flavus. Many other species of Aspergillus such as Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus versicolor are also known to be toxigenic or allergenic. Instant action is required when growth of these molds appear in occupied indoor environment.
Because of their ability to produce a large number of enzymes, species of Aspergillus are capable of utilizing an enormous variety of organic material for food. Therefore, under humid conditions, Aspergillus species grow on leather, cloth fabrics and books reducing their value and imparting musty odor to these items. Several species are frequently found on grains and exposed foodstuffs where they cause decay and subsequent loss of food.
Aspergillosis is the group of diseases caused by Aspergillus. The most common subtype among paranasal sinus infections associated with aspergillosis is aspergillus fumigatus. The symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain or breathlessness, which also occur in many other illnesses so diagnosis can be difficult. Usually, only patients with already weakened immune systems or who suffer other lung conditions are susceptible.
Occurrence of Aspergillus species in indoor environmentSpecies of Aspergillus have been isolated from damp walls, wallpaper, PVC/paper wall covering, gypsum board, floor, carpet and mattress dust, upholstered-furniture dust , acrylic paint, UFFI, leather, HVAC insulations, filters and fans, humidifier water, shoes, leather, bird droppings, potted plant soil, plastic and decomposing wood.Aspergillus fumigatus is frequently found in kitchens and bathrooms while in mattresses and carpets, Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus repens are common. Asperillus versicolor and Aspergillus fumigatus are also common in basements. Species of Aspergillus frequently found in flower pot soil are Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.Generally the amount of airborne spores of Aspergillus in indoor air is higher than outdoors at any given time. In the home, the amount of airborne spores is significantly increased when cleaning is carried out mechanically, for example, when carpets are vacuum cleaned.
It is important to make sure your home is free of this damaging and life threatening mold. We at East Coast Mold Specialist are professionals and have over a decade of experience in handling inspection and mold remediation. We use the most advance technologies in order to detect mold, from infrared imaging, swab sampling, air sampling, all laboratory tested.
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