A ubiquitous fungus, Cladosporium species are frequent isolates in air samples taken throughout the year and distributed in countries worldwide. This genus comprises over 30 species, of which several are colonizers of food products and organic materials or of clinical importance as pathogens. Cladosporium species are a dematiaceous (pigmented) mold generally characterized microscopically by darkened spore scarring at points of attachment (see arrows above), irregular to sub-regular shapes, and single to multicellular conidia in readily disarticulating chains. Depending on the conditions for growth, Cladosporium colonies may be olivaceous brown, green, black, grey, or greenish black, with a powdery or velvety visible texture. Fungi similarly identified to Cladosporium sp. are of the Genus Cladophialophora, which demonstrate varying clinical/pathogenic and ecological significance.

Samples can be quickly identified to the Genus and Species level (conditional*) for Cladosporium and various other fungal types by Brightfield Compound Light Microscopy through tape lifts, airborne spore traps, and bulk material collections with suspected fungal growths.

*Cultures only. Fungi may be identified by a combination of growth rates, patterns, size restrictions, and other microscopic evaluations that may not be observed through direct exam air samples, tape lifts, or bulk samples that have already completed a growth cycle.

References:

http://www.doctorfungus.org/thefungi/cladosporium.htm

de Hoog, G.S., et. al. 2000. Atlas of clinical fungi. 2nd edition. Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures, The Netherlands.

St-Germain, Guy. 1996. Identifying filamentous fungi: a clinical laboratory handbook. Star Publishing Company, Belmont, California, USA.