Allergenic mould Aureobasidium pullulans, SEM

Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the common indoor allergenic mould Aureobasidium pullulans. Seen here is fungal hyphae stage producing yeast buds. This species also grows as a yeast form under certain environmental conditions. Aureobasidium pullulans is also known as Pullularia pullalans . Aureobasidium is a common indoor mould that grows in damp places. It occurs indoors in very damp areas and in free standing water, such as condensate pans, or following a flood. Spores only become airborne through mechanical disruption of contaminated materials or aspiration of contaminated water. It is not a primary human pathogen nor is it recognized as a producer of significant mycotoxins. High airborne levels of this fungus have been associated with allergic complaints probably due to respiratory irritation mediated by cell-wall components (e.g. beta glucans, glycoproteins)Magnification: x800 when shortest axis printed at 25