Outbreak of Fungal Lung Infections Affects More than Two Dozen in Wisconsin

In August, Wisconsin’s WAOW broadcasted a report about a cluster of lung infections caused by a fungal pathogen commonly found in moist soil and associated with decomposing organic matter.  The infection is known as blastomycosis and is caused by inhaling airborne fungal spores.

Fungi are a natural part of the environment and can be found all around us.  Some types of fungi, including those found in the natural environment and others found in mold infested indoor environments, can cause serious infections in some people.  

There are many types of pathogenic fungi people can be exposed to, an example of just a few includes: Aspergillus, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Candida albicans, Coccidioides, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans, Fusarium, Histoplasma capsulatum, Mucoromycotina in the order Mucorales, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Sporothrix schenckii, Exserohilum, and Cladosporium. 

“For most healthy people, exposure to pathogenic fungi usually does not result in disease, but that is not necessarily the case for anyone with a suppressed or weakened immune system,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “The presence of these types of fungi in places such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, nursing homes and other locations that house people who may be susceptible to infections is a real concern.  Because many types of fungi are naturally found all around us, another important consideration is the actual concentration of spores that may be present in the air people are exposed to during their daily activities.”

One of the nation’s leading environmental testing laboratories that identifies fungi from both indoor and outdoor environments is EMSL Analytical, Inc. They have dozens of laboratories across North America that provide testing services and sampling supplies for a wide range of microbial pathogens and contaminants.  EMSL has also sponsored a two-part video series about some of the more common fungal pathogens that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/qrb-_4NHJiY & http://youtu.be/ZYQCgtTKbas.

To learn more about this or other environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of indoor air quality, environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.  
 

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) (856) 303-2503

Contact via E-mail