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Fusarium - Common Species of Mold
Fusarium spp
- A common soil fungus and inhabitant on a wide array of plants, this
fungi is often found in humidifiers and has been isolated from water-damaged
carpets and a variety of other building materials. Human exposure may
occur through ingestion of contaminated grains and possibly through
the inhalation of spores. Fusarium spp. are frequently involved with
eye, skin, and nail infections. More severely it can produce hemorrhagic
syndrome (alimentary toxic aleukia) in humans which is characterized
by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dermatitis, and extensive internal bleeding.
- Several species can produce the trichothecene toxins which target
the circulatory, alimentary, skin, and nervous systems. Vomitoxin is
one such tricothecene mycotoxin that has been associated with outbreaks
of acute gastrointestinal illness in humans. Zearalenone is another
mycotoxin produced by Fusarium. It is similar in structure to the female
sex hormone estrogen and targets the reproductive organs.
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