A widespread fungus that is most frequently associated with grasses, plant material, decaying food, and soil. It is common to both indoor and outdoor environments. Older obsolete names include Drechslera and Helminthosporium. This fungus produces large spores which would be expected to be deposited in the upper respiratory tract. Various species of this fungus can produce the mycotoxin - sterigmatocystin which has been shown to produce liver and kidney damage when ingested by laboratory animals.

The Bipolaris genus has about 45 species manifestations that appear as tropical and subtropical plant parasites. However there are other manifestations of this mold that have clinical effects on humans, these include B.austreleinsis, B.spicifer and the B. haiwaiiensis. The microscopic characteristics of this genus center around fast growing colonies that emit the substance fluccose in the process of their pigmentation. The pigmentation transformation is a distinguishing factor of the different strains and species that have clinical significance in both humans as well as plants.

The Bipolaris genus pigments into darkish gray coloration and also gets to the range of suede brown with the highest range of pigmentation being the conidia which has a pale brownish coloration. The conidia phase is often referred to as the bi-polar phase from which the genus borrows it name. This means that the conidia are produced and germinate through the end pores of the genus.

This mold is not necessarily on the most common molds to affect humans but they are significant pathogens when they do penetrate the human system. The common symptoms of infection by the mold include the Keratitis and dermatitis version that is a symptomatic of most if not all molds affection humans. Keratitis is characterized by a chipping way of the nail as well as the hair, but this is predominantly a disorder of the keratin in the hair this an infected patient may sufferer sever or mild hair loss. Another common symptom of a Bipolaris sp. infection is sinusitis that is as a result of an exaggerated reaction to allergens produced by the mold and rejected by the recipient's body. This disorder leads to the inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, this is the more acute form of sinusitis and can be a source of major irritation and long term sinuses infections for those whose who have not had this infection before.

A more sever form of Bipolaris infection is the hyperactivity pnumonitis. Most mold infections, when they take a severe turn result to the infection of the lungs, also known as pneumonia. This is also the case with this particular genus and is as a result of long term exposure to the mold. This disorder tends to occur after a period of 4- 12 hours of exposure to the mold and will impact more on patients whose immune systems are compromised. It is however important to note that molds do need a long term exposure for then to have any significance on a person's health. Hyperactivity pnumonitis is characterized by fever and chills, coughing, chest and body aches that will subside after a while. However it is important to seek medical attention as pneumonia infections can be deadly.

The treatment for Bipolaris infections area treated with regard to the symptoms that are manifested. But prevention is better than cure, and this calls for reduced exposure to the mold particles that cause these infections in moldy areas such as enclosed containers, pigeon droppings and hay, moldy sugar cane as well as moldy compost.