Penicillium chrysogenum is also known as Penicillium notatum, the first Penicillium fungi used for the isolation of penicillin antibiotics, which is used for the treatment of Gram-positive bacteria. The name penicillium originates from Latin to mean painters brush because of the structure of the conidial spores which are fluffy in appearance.
- It is also used in the production of other β-lactam antibiotics.
- It is an allergen and has pathogenic activity however it is uncommon in causing disease in humans.
- Incidences of opportunistic infections by P.chrysogenum have however been reported, causing infections in immune-compromised persons with underlying conditions.
- It is found indoors, in areas that are humid, dump, or having dumped water.
- It is also very common in temperate and subtropical areas.
- It is found in moist soil and degraded forest vegetation.
- It is saprophytic hence it can also grow in the dead decayed matter.
- It also grows in stored food and damp building material, hence it is commonly an indoor fungus.
- It can also be found on alfalfa leafcutter bees and subglacial ice feeding on sediment-rich basal ice shelves.
- It can also be found on fruit causing decay.
Understand and improve your laboratory results with our health dashboard.
Upload your lab reports and get interpretation today.
Our technology helps to understand, combine, track, organize, and act on your medical lab test results.
Penicillium Chrysogenum can most often be found in indoor environments, particularly in those with high humidity, dampness, or previous water damage.
Penicillium Chrysogenum colonies are blue-green in colour with a yellowish pigment often appearing as well. However, identifying Penicillium Chrysogenum based on colour alone is not possible.
Penicillium Chrysogenum is well-known both as an allergen and as a pathogen, although it is rarely reported as a cause of human disease. However, it has been known to cause a variety of opportunistic infections, mostly in people whose immune systems are weakened due to already suffering from another disease.
Where does Penicillium Chrysogenum grow?
Penicillium Chrysogenum grows well in indoor environments, and water damaged or damp areas of buildings are considered to be a good environment for the growth of this fungus. It can also develop on fruits and vegetables, cereal grains, cured meat products, margarine, cheese and other dairy products which have a tendency to decompose and decay after a period of time.
Outdoors it is mostly found in the soil and on decaying vegetation.
Possible treatment options:
- Treatment is by surgical removal of the foci of the infection
- Use of oral antifungals such as amphotericin B and itraconazole.
- For systemic endophthalmitis, use of topical amphotericin B or itraconazole
Control and prevention:
- Using water to spray off areas where the fungus is growing, to reduce spore spread into the air.
- Use bleaches and warm water to clean the walls.
Interpret Your Lab Results
Upload your lab report and we’ll interpret and provide you with recomendations today.
Get StartedGet Started With Our Personal Plan
Advanced Plan
Unlimited Plan
Are You a Health Professional?
Get started with our professional plan
Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more
Pro Plan
for health professionals
$45 per month
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.