Scopulariopsis

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From: " Papageorge " <johnp@...>

Date: Fri Jan 13, 2006 1:17 pm

Subject: Scopulariopsis johnpapa77

iequality/message/5195

Group:

I have included below the definition from Aerotech P & K's website of

Scopulariopsis. While I have not been sampling for a great deal of

time, I have done remediation for more years than I care to count.

Scopulariopsis is something that I have only seen in the last few

months. Wallpaper is where I have typically seen this. Now, I am

starting to see higher and higher counts, even in cases where there

is NO Wallpaper. Never seen any in outdoor control samples.

I have talked to the Microbiologist at my lab about this matter.

She admitted that she has seen a dramatic increase in

Scopulariopsis. We are in Central Florida and she suggested that

maybe we are getting some in breezes originating from major

demolition taking place in NOLA, and drifting this way. I'm not

sure why, but I just don't buy that. Again, never seen any in

outdoor control samples.

All my samples are non-viables via air-o-cells.

Some of the results I'm getting are that Scopulariopsis is 60% of

the total spore counts for that sample and total spore counts for

that room are 50-100% higher that outside total spore count.

Questions:

Is anyone else having the same problems with Scopulariopsis?

Particularly in the South East.

Am I getting too picky by wanting to see NO counts of Scopulariopsis

in Post-Remediation Verification? I read this to be a very ugly

species.

Am I missing something by not going with viable sampling, i.e., are

my samples returning evidence of non-viable spores, which may not be

indicative of the insidious nature of the diseases and allergic

reactions listed.

Scopulariopsis

Phonetic: Scope-you-lair-ee-op'-siss

Scopulariopsis is ubiquitous and can be found on soil, plant

material, feathers, insects, dung, house dust and on a wide variety

of materials including old carpets and water-damaged wallpaper. The

species S. fimicola is known as the white plaster mold of mushroom

beds while other species may attack bee larvae and silkworms.

Scopulariopsis is a type III allergen, and may cause a variety of

infections in humans. It may cause onychomycosis (especially of the

toenails), skin lesions, mycetoma, invasive sinusitis, keratitis,

endophthalmitis, endocarditis, pneumonia, brain abscess and

disseminated infections. Scopulariopsis may also cause pulmonary

infections, such as an invasion of deep tissue including fungus

balls in pre-formed pulmonary cavities. These are of primary concern

to immune compromised hosts, and these infections may be highly

fatal. The species Scopulariopsis brevicaulis may produce arsine gas

if growing on building materials with an arsenic substrate, such as

some types of wallpaper and paints. Culture - Potato dextrose agar,

20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.

I look forward to your responses. Admittedly, I am NOT a

microbiologist. I am a building envelope specialist who has a basic

understanding of mycology. I look forward to your posts.

P. Papageorge CMI, CIE, CMR

Alpha Consulting Group

Tampa, FL. 33624

www.alphaconsultingfl.com

Phone 813-514-MOLD