Organism Library

Cladosporium species

Health Effects

It is a common allergen. It can cause mycosis. Common cause of extrinsic asthma (immediate-type hypersensitivity: type I). Acute symptoms include edema and bronchiospasms, chronic cases may develop pulmonary emphysema. Illnesses caused by this genus can include phaeohyphomycosis, chromoblastomycosis, hay fever and common allergies.

The most commonly identified outdoor fungus. The outdoor numbers are reduced in the winter and are often high in the summer. Often found indoors in numbers less than outdoor numbers. It is commonly found on the surface of fiberglass duct liner in the interior of supply ducts. A wide variety of plants are food sources for this fungus. It is found on dead plants, woody plants, food, straw, soil, paint and textiles. Often found in dirty refrigerators and especially in reservoirs where condensation is collected, on moist window frames it can easily be seen covering the whole painted area with a velvety olive green layer.