Alternaria alternata

A rapidly growing fungus that produces a greenish-black colony within five days, when incubated at 25oC (77oF). The hyphae, conidiophores, and conidia are pigmented olivaceous-brown (dematiaceous). It produces toxic metabolites including tenuazonic acid. It is found worldwide and is very common. It can be isolated from air, plants (Ablackspot@ of roses), foodstuffs, soil, and textiles. Rarely an opportunistic human pathogen causing a hypersensitivity pneumonitis (woodworker=s lung disease) and an immediate-type hypersensitivity-type I (IgE-mediated) extrinsic asthma and disease that is very common in individuals with atopic disease.

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