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The Arthrinium phaeospermum is one
of many species of dematiaceous anamorphs or dark pigmented
fungi. It belongs to the family Apiosporaceae of the
phylum Ascomycota. It is a very common saprobic mold
that primarily affects plant life. It gets its much-needed
nutrients from decaying organic material particularly
from various species of vegetables, palms and grasses;
for example, sweet potato, bamboo and sugar cane.
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Previously, the species Arthrinium phaeospermum was
known as Papularia
sphaerosperma or Papularia
sphaerosperma var. sanguinea. The use of Papularia
has since been discontinued in favor of Arthrinium.
Other known synonyms that reference the organism are
Botryoconis sanguinea, Coniosporium onychophilum, Coniosporium
phaeospermum, Gymnosporium phaeospermum, Melanconium
sphaerospermum, and Stilbospora sphaerosperma.
Arthrinium phaeospermum is sometimes identified as the
"bamboo black smudge" or the "sugar cane
black smudge". It may be possible, however, for
other species of plant-based fungi to cause familiar
dark spots on bamboos and sugar cane plants that would
be mistaken for Arthrinium phaeospermum. Only upon close
inspection of the affected sample can the genus be accurately
identified based upon the distinctive features of the
organism's conidia.
Arthrinium phaeospermum is observed to be a multicellular
and filamentous organism. The conidia of Arthrinium
phaeospermum are dark-colored, usually brown, and lenticular
in shape. It also has a faint crest around the middle
of the structure. Furthermore, the conidia tend to develop
in clusters. The colony will begin to appear as a white
wool-like layer but will eventually reveal dark brown
or black spots.
Traces of Arthrinium phaeospermum is most commonly found
in soil and plant detritus. The colony grows quite rapidly
covering the surface of the material with a wooly or
cottony texture. Common hosts for the Arthrinium phaeospermum
include wheatgrass, beachgrass, custard apple (atis),
evergreen trees, various species of cane plants, peanuts,
a number of flowering plants, oat-grass, various species
of bamboo plants, wetland sedges, coconut palm trees,
fruits belonging to the genus Citrus like oranges and
lemons, sorghum, different kinds of tubers and many
other grasses and plants. Certain kinds of beans, rice
and cashews may contain low levels of the fungus.
Plants are not the only items that end up as suitable
hosts for Arthrinium phaeospermum. Humans and animals
may also be carriers of fungi. In almost all cases the
human immune system are able to fend off infection.
However, Arthrinium phaeospermum being a saprobic fungus
is known to cause spoilage of various food products.
The organism's conidia can be present in the air, both
outdoors and indoors, although the latter scenario is
less common. The species is also known to be unusually
heat resistant for a conidiospore.
As such, if you leave a meal long enough on the dinner
table, you will most likely have a plateful of Arthrinium
phaeospermum among other nasty things. There are documented
cases of acute food poisoning that are directly related
to ingesting food items that are contaminated by Arthrinium
phaeospermum.
It is quite probable that a person with a weak immune
system may be susceptible to dermatological infections
from a variant of Arthrinium.
Common anti-fungal medications, particularly miconazole
nitrate, may be effective to combat such infections.
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