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This species may be recovered from
the indoor environment. It has worldwide distribution
but is predominantly a tropical to subtropical fungus
apparently more common in cultivated than uncultivated
soil. It colonizes on decaying vegetation, crop seeds
and many other substrates. It grows on moldy corn and
peanuts and can also be found in other foods and dairy
products. It has been reported in water damaged carpets.
It has also been reported as an insect and animal pathogen.
This fungus has an Aw (water activity) of 0.78. and
conidia (spores) dimensions 3-6 microns or 3-5 microns.
This fungus should be considered allergenic. Its presence
has been associated with reports of asthma. Approximately
50% of the strains are capable of producing a group
of mycotoxins - in the aflatoxin group. Aflatoxins are
known animal carcinogen. There is limited evidence to
suggest that this toxin is also a human carcinogen.
The production of the fungal toxin is dependent on the
growth conditions and on the substrate used as a food
source. The toxin is poisonous to humans by ingestion
and may directly affect the liver. Experiments have
indicated that it is teratogenic and mutagenic. This
fungus may also result in disease via inhalation and
is associated with aspergillosis of the lungs and/or
disseminated aspergillosis. This fungus is occasionally
identified as the cause of corneal, otomycotic, and
nasoorbital infections.
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