Organism Library

Alternaria species

Health Effects

In humans, it is recognized to cause type I and III allergic responses. Because of the large size of the spores, it can be deposited in the nose, mouth and upper respiratory tract, causing nasal septum infections. It has been known to cause Baker's asthma, farmer's lung, and hay fever. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, sinusitis, deratomycosis, onychomycosis, subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis, and invasive infection. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema.

This genus compromises a large number of saprobes and plant pathogens. It is one of the predominate airborne fungal spores indoor and outdoor. Outdoors it may be isolated from samples of soil, seeds, and plants. It is one of the more common fungi found in nature, extremely widespread and ubiquitous. Conidia are easily carried by the wind, with peak concentrations in the summer and early fall. It is commonly found in outdoor samples. It is often found in indoor environments, on drywall, ceiling tiles, in house dust, carpets, textiles, and on horizontal surfaces in building interiors. Often found on window frames.