Chaetomium sp. |
Ascomycete. | |
| Distribution | Where Found | Mode of Dissemination |
| Ubiquitous; cosmopolitan. Approx. 81 species. |
Soil, seeds, cellulose substrates, dung, woody and straw materials./span> | Spores are formed inside fruiting bodies. Spores are forced out an opening and spread by wind, insects, water splash. |
| Allergen | Potential Opportunist or Pathogen | Potential Toxin Production |
| Not well studied. Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma). |
Uncommon agent of onychomycosis (nail infection). | Chaetomin. Chaetomium globosum produces chaetoglobosins. Sterigmatocystin is produced by rare species. Other compounds produced (which may not be mycotoxins in the strict sense) include a variety of mutagens. |
| Growth Indoors | Industrial Uses | Other Comments |
| Widespread, cellulolytic, very commonly found on damp sheetrock paper. | Used in textile testing and the production of cellulase. | None. |
| Characteristics: Growth/Culture | Notes on Spore Trap Recognition | Notes on Tape Lift Recognition |
| Grows and sporulates on general fungal media, may need 8-20 days for fruiting body production and sporulation. | Distinctive. Chaetomium globosum has small brown "lemon" or "football-shaped" ascospores. | Distinctive and readily identifiable on tape lifts. |
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| Definitions | References | Commentary | ||