Aureobasidium pullulans (de Bary) G. Arnaud

Location: Medical Mycology Lab, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA

Observation Notes: A. pullulans is a common household contaminant that is found in warm damp places such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and walls containing leaking pipes. It is the best known species of the Aureobasidium genus due to the fact that it is opportunistic and can live in humans.
The main problem found with this species is that it can tolerate extreme temperatures in either direction, high salt concentration, and highly acidic environments thus making it extremely difficult to eradicate from indoor environments. This is due to the fact that it can use mannitol and trehalose to build protective structures against heat and cold or lysis from highly hypertonic environments.
The fungus itself is generally found in a yeast like state although it can grow chlamydospores and conidia. Macroconidia and microconidia have been observed and older colonies tend to turn black as the macroconidia appear. Cells are smooth and thin but irregular in size and shape.
[admin – Sat Aug 14 02:07:15 0000 2010]: Changed location name from ‘UW- La Crosse Medical mycology Lab’ to ‘Medical Mycology Lab, University of Wisconsin La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA’

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