Stachybotrys sp

Reported to be allergenic. See also Sporothrix sp. as there is some taxonomic confusion between these two genera. This genera does not cause sporotrichosis.

Sporotrichum is a fungus which is widely distributed in decaying soil and wood and is also known as a contaminant. It has only one active species which is known as sporotrichum pruinosum. It is classified in the phylum Basidiomycota and is found in the class of hymenomycetes. It belongs to the Stereales order, the family of Corticiacecea and belongs to the sporotrichum genus. It is so far not a harmful fungus as there has been no disease reported to be caused by it. The species usually grows fast and matures in a span of five days. It has a smooth and powdery texture. It usually turns from white to beige, pink, yellow or orange from the front but from the back it is chromatic.

It has the following microscopic features: separate hypha which contains bridges at the septa, Conidiophores which are long, short, simple or branched, Aleuriconidia which are bore by  the conidiophores, they are thick walled, unicellular, oval in shape, golden yellow, have a truncated base are usually terminal and are either smooth or rough. They remain with a portion of conidiophore after they are separated. Arthroconodia are many and mostly found in clusters. Chlamydospores are huge and thick walled and are produced at 25 and 37 degrees Celsius.

Fungi have been known to cure diseases and at the same time cause them. Some are edible and very tasty while others can give you very serious complications and even cause death. They determine what plants grow and where and keep people from being buried in waste. This fungus has helped in the exposure of penicillin.

The fungi can be found on surfaces by tape lift, tease mounts from many samples, and in the air. They reproduce by creating spores and are in constant movement both indoors and outdoors and usually start growing and eating whatever they are growing on for survival tactics. Although there is no disease that is associated with it is known to cause allergies in human beings.               

Different people react differently to the fungi exposure. It can cause severe reactions in human beings such as sneezing, chronic fatigue, nausea, irritated eyes and running nose. This is caused especially when it is inhaled. The effect on human health becomes worse where the patients are elderly and those with terminal illnesses. It is therefore important to keep away from mold exposure or to have the problem dealt with immediately.

The sporotrichum has also been found in meat that is frozen. With soil being a major habitat of the fungi people should try and make amends to it by treating it with fertilizers to ensure that they do not reproduce. Sporotrichum can be purified in to two components with the help of acetone and sephadex. When the fungi attacks wood it causes it to degrade and cause them to loose weight this occurs in both soft and hardwoods. This is through the production of galactomanna form the fungus which eats up the wood.