Distribution
Ubiquitous;
cosmopolitan.
Found most frequently in temperate regions.
Approx. 8 species.
Where Found
Soil, dead herbaceous stems, wood, grasses, sugar beet root, groundnuts and oats.
Mode of Dissemination
Dry spore.
Wind.
Growth Indoors
Found indoors on cellulose containing materials such as jute, old sacking, wicker, straw baskets, wood, and paper.
Industrial Uses
Not known.
Other Comments
Nomenclatural problems: Torula is sometimes confused with the yeast Torulopsis. Torulosis is an old name for cryptococcosis, a disease in humans caused by the yeast Cryptococcus neoformans.
Allergens
Type I allergies (hay fever, asthma).
Potential Opportunist or Pathogen
No reports of human infection.
Potential Toxin Production
Torula herbarum was cytotoxic in screening tests performed by our laboratory. The nature of the toxin(s) is unknown.
Growth/Culture Characteristics
Grows vegetatively on general fungal media but usually requires specialized media for sporulation.
Spore Trap Recognition
Distinctive, not easily confused with other genera.
Tape Lift Recognition
Distinctive, readily identifiable on tape samples.