Sporobolomyces sp

Mitosporic fungus. Hyphomycetes. Teleomorph (sexual state): Sporidiobolus (Basidiomycete).

Characteristics

Distribution

Ubiquitous;
cosmopolitan.
Approx. 10 species.

Where Found

Tree leaves, soil, rotting fruit, other plant materials. Associated with lesions caused by other plant parasites.

Mode of Dissemination

Wet spore. Ballistospores are forcibly discharged during high humidity.

Growth Indoors

Grows on a variety of substrates. Requires very wet conditions.

Industrial Uses

Not known.

Other Comments

Sporobolomyces is a basidiomycete (active spore release in times of high humidity). If culturable sampling is conducted on a rainy day, indoor counts may be very high. If repeat sampling is carried out on a dry day at the same location, Sporobolomyces counts may be drastically reduced.

Potential Health Effects

Allergens

Known allergen.
Type I and Type III allergies.

Potential Opportunist or Pathogen

Implicated as a cause of dermatitis. Other disease associations are unclear.

Potential Toxin Production

Not known.

Laboratory Notes

Growth/Culture Characteristics

Grows well on general fungal media. Colonies are commonly in shades of peach, pink, and salmon; characteristic satellite colonies are produced around the main colony as a result of forcibly released ballistospores.

Spore Trap Recognition

These spores are counted as basidiospores on spore trap slides.

Tape Lift Recognition

Indistinguishable from other colorless basidiospores.
However, presumptive identification is possible if spores are seen en masse from an area of active growth.