Sporobolomyces sp. |
Mitosporic fungus. Hyphomycetes. Teleomorph (sexual state): Sporidiobolus (Basidiomycete). | |
| Distribution | Where Found | Mode of Dissemination |
| Ubiquitous; cosmopolitan. Approx. 10 species. |
Tree leaves, soil, rotting fruit, other plant materials. Associated with lesions caused by other plant parasites. /span> | Wet spore. Ballistospores are forcibly discharged during high humidity. |
| Allergen | Potential Opportunist or Pathogen | Potential Toxin Production |
| Known allergen. Type I and Type III allergies. |
Implicated as a cause of dermatitis. Other disease associations are unclear. | Not known. |
| Growth Indoors | Industrial Uses | Other Comments |
| Grows on a variety of substrates. Requires very wet conditions. | Not known. | 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. |
| Characteristics: Growth/Culture | Notes on Spore Trap Recognition | Notes on Tape Lift Recognition |
| 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. | These spores are counted as basidiospores on spore trap slides. | Indistinguishable from other colorless basidiospores. However, presumptive identification is possible if spores are seen en masse from an area of active growth. |
