Stemphylium
Growth & Distribution
Found worldwide. Spores are common in both indoor and outdoor air.
Growth Rate: Rapid – Mature within 5 days (6)
Water Activity: Minimum of 0.90 (23)
Outdoors
Found on plant materials (such as tomato, pomaceous & stone fruit, pear and cherry)(7).
Indoors
Can be found growing on cellulosic materials such as paper, cardboard, gypsum, wood, food stuffs, etc. Spores may be found indoors as a result of normal exchange with outside air. Growth may occur near windows and door ways, especially with elevated moisture.
Health Effects
Allergen:
Considered by some to be among the most common mold allergens in the US (1).
In sensitive individuals, typically manifests Type I or Type III hypersensitivity reactions. These include allergic asthma, conjunctivitis (redness of the eye), rhinitis (hay fever), anaphylaxis, angioedema (dermal swelling), urticarial (hives) or hypersensitivity pneumonitis & allergic sinusitis (Type III). (5)
Pathogen:
Not known to be pathogenic (6)
Toxins/Metabolites:
Unknown