Diseases Caused by Soil Fungi: Blastomycosis and Valley Fever

photo-5icTendiche term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) has been prominent in both the electronic and print media recently.¹ We have shown that there is a correlation between the presence of certain fungi (Stachybotrys species and Penicillium species) and SBS.² These two genera have been described in recent editions of this periodical.^3,4 There is currently considerable debate concerning the implications of having fungi grow inside our buildings.⁵ However, one area in which there is no debate regarding fungi is the fact that they can cause human infections.

Fungi can effect human health by producing allergic rhinitis (allergies), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (an …