Mold Types and Results

Dear George,

Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosporium are what types of molds. What, if anything, can they do to your health?

Signed,
Penicillium Nuts

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Dear Penicillium Nuts,

If you’re talking about classification, scientific designations are constantly updated to reflect new discoveries. However, in this case, the three mold genuses mentioned all are considered to be in the same division, or phylum, of Ascomycota.

Molds can cause a number of responses or infections, more than we can answer here, including any degree of allergy.

Some species of Aspergillus and Penicillium create mycotoxins (toxins produced by an organism of the Fungi kingdom). Mycotoxins are certainly pathogenic.

Aspergillus species can cause aspergillosis (fever, cough, chest pain or breathlessness), allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis or ABPA, acute invasive aspergillosis, and disseminated invasive aspergillosis. Aflatoxins are produced by Aspergillus species; Aflatoxin B1 is a known carcinogen.

Some strains of Penicillium are capable of producing harmful secondary metabolites: alkaloids and other mycotoxins. Ochratoxin A is produced by Penicillium verrucosum and causes kidney damage.

The mycotoxins of Cladosporium species reportedly have caused, in humans, infections of the skin, toenails, as well as sinuses and lungs. Their airborne spores are significant allergens.

People can become allergic to all molds based on individual sensitivities and on the extent of exposure.