Stachybotrys sp.

Mitosporic fungus. Hyphomycetes.

Distribution

Where Found

Mode of Dissemination

Ubiquitous;
cosmopolitan.
Approx. 15 species.

Soil, decaying plant substrates, decomposing cellulose (hay, straw), leaf litter, and seeds. Growth not influenced by soil pH or copper; growth enhanced by manure.

Wet spore.
Insects, water splash.
Wind when dried out.

Allergen

Potential Opportunist or Pathogen

Potential Toxin Production

Not well studied.
Type I allergies reported.

No reports of human infection. (No species grow well at 37°C.)

Macrocyclic trichothecenes: verrucarin J, roridin E, satratoxin F, G & H, sporidesmin G, trichoverrol; cyclosporins, stachybotryolactone.
Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis: human toxicosis has been described; may be characterized by dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, itching or burning sensation in mouth, throat, nasal passages and eyes. The best described toxicoses are from domestic animals that have eaten contaminated hay and straw or inhaled infected material from contaminated bedding.

Growth Indoors

Industrial Uses

Other Comments

Commonly found indoors on wet materials containing cellulose, such as wallboard, jute, wicker, straw baskets, and other paper materials. (See "Characteristics: Growth/Culture").
Aw=0.94

Not known.

Many human reports of Stachybotrys toxicosis are anecdotal. Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis is currently the subject of toxin research.

Characteristics: Growth/Culture

Notes on Spore Trap Recognition

Notes on Tape Lift Recognition

Grows well on general fungal media. Stachybotrys is slow growing as compared to Penicillium and other common mold genera, and may not compete well in the presence of other fungi. However, when water availability is high for prolonged periods on environmental material, Stachybotrys may gradually become the predominating mold, especially on cellulose containing materials.

Spores of the species S. chartarum are distinctive, and not easily confused with other genera. Carbon fragments which may be oval and of similar size may sometimes be confused with S. chartarum.
Memnoniella and Gliomastix produce spores with similar gray black pigment.
Note: Spore trap samples are more likely to demonstrate the presence of Stachybotrys than culturable samples (Andersen).

Distinctive, readily identifiable on tape lift samples. Direct microscopic observation of samples is often necessary as Stachybotrys may be missed if only culture methods are used.