Penicillium

p1Species of the Penicillium can be both saprophytic and parasitic. Thus occupants may form ideals hosts for fungal growths of Penicillium. Growth on agar shows a colony center greenish with white edges.

Features

Conidia and conidiophores of the Penicillium are transparent or brightly coloured. Clusters of phialides are observed at the tip of conidiophores bearing resemblance to a brush. These phialides each produce a chain of conidia. The conidia are 1-celled, with the shape ranging from round to oval.

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Pigment Colour of Fungus
  • Transparent (hyaline) or bright coloured (Spores and conidiophores)
Observed Spores Growth
  • At tip (Apical)
Spore Characteristics
  • 1-celled
  • Range from round to oval
  • Each phialide produces chains of conidia

 

Allergenic Diseases

Affected Areas

Forms/ Medical Terms

Descriptions

Airway to Lungs (Bronchial Tubes)

Asthma
  • Inflammation and constriction of airway to lung

Lungs

Allergic Alveolitis
  • Occurs when the lungs cannot transfer oxygen into the blood stream due to continued inhalation of airborne allergens

Nose

Allergic Fungal Sinusitis (AFS)
  • Occurs in individuals with a background of asthma and rhinitis
  • Does not invade tissue; fills up sinus with substances of membrane cells, decomposing white blood cells and fungal hyphae
  • Built-up pressure in the sinus can eventually cause expansion and erosion of the sinus walls

 

Pathogenic Diseases

Categories Form/Medical Terms Descriptions
Eyes

 

 Keratitis Cornea inflammation, usually after wounding or injuring the cornea
Endophtalmitis Inflammation internal eyeball tissue structures
Ears Otomycosis Inflammation of the ear canal
Digestive Tract Esophagitis Inflammation of the esophagus, or food passage to the stomach, causing the death of the membrane tissue
Bone Osteomyelitis Inflammation of bone and bone marrow
Respiratory Tract Pneumonia Lung inflammation
Heart

 

 Endocarditis Inflammation of the internal membrane of the heart
Pericarditis Inflammation of the membrane sac enclosing the heart
Systematic Infection Penicilliosis
  • Fatal
  • Ulcers and bumps on the skin are common
  • Caused by particular species: Penicillium marneffei
  • Usually occurring affecting patients with weakened immune systems (Deng et al., 1988)
  • Initial lung infection, spreading to the blood stream and areas including lymphatic system, liver, spleen and bones
Other ·      Inflammation of abdomen or abdominal organs

·      Urinary tract infections