Distribution
Ubiquitous;
cosmopolitan.
Approx. 15 species.
Where Found
Soil, decaying plant substrates, decomposing cellulose (hay, straw), leaf litter, and seeds. Growth not influenced by soil pH or copper; growth enhanced by manure.
Mode of Dissemination
Wet spore.
Insects, water splash.
Wind when dried out.
Growth Indoors
Commonly found indoors on wet materials containing cellulose, such as wallboard, jute, wicker, straw baskets, and other paper materials. (See "Characteristics: Growth/Culture").
Aw=0.94
Industrial Uses
Not known.
Other Comments
Many human reports of Stachybotrys toxicosis are anecdotal. Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis is currently the subject of toxin research.
Allergens
Not well studied.
Type I allergies reported.
Potential Opportunist or Pathogen
No reports of human infection. (No species grow well at 37°C.)
Potential Toxin Production
Macrocyclic trichothecenes: verrucarin J, roridin E, satratoxin F, G & H, sporidesmin G, trichoverrol; cyclosporins, stachybotryolactone.
Stachybotrys mycotoxicosis: human toxicosis has been described; may be characterized by dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, itching or burning sensation in mouth, throat, nasal passages and eyes. The best described toxicoses are from domestic animals that have eaten contaminated hay and straw or inhaled infected material from contaminated bedding.
Growth/Culture Characteristics
Grows well on general fungal media. Stachybotrys is slow growing as compared to Penicillium and other common mold genera, and may not compete well in the presence of other fungi. However, when water availability is high for prolonged periods on environmental material, Stachybotrys may gradually become the predominating mold, especially on cellulose containing materials.
Spore Trap Recognition
Spores of the species S. chartarum are distinctive, and not easily confused with other genera. Carbon fragments which may be oval and of similar size may sometimes be confused with S. chartarum.
Memnoniella and Gliomastix produce spores with similar gray black pigment.
Note: Spore trap samples are more likely to demonstrate the presence of Stachybotrys than culturable samples (Andersen).
Tape Lift Recognition
Distinctive, readily identifiable on tape lift samples. Direct microscopic observation of samples is often necessary as Stachybotrys may be missed if only culture methods are used.