Phonetic: Pay-sill-oh-my-sees

Paecilomyces is a widespread fungus found in warm, arid regions in soil and plant debris, but also in decaying food or cosmetics, and dust, less frequently it is found in air. It is a secondary invader or saprobe on various plants, and some species are parasitic on insects. This fungus is considered to be thermo-tolerant. This is a clinical opportunistic fungus in the immunocompromised, causing endocarditis, keratitis, and peritonitis. P. variotii can cause paecilomycosis, and is linked to wood-trimmers disease and humidifier-associated illnesses. Some members of this genus are reported to cause pneumonia and pulmonary infections, mycosis, and other subcutaneous infections associated with lungs, skin and eyes. It may also cause toxicosis in humans and animals, especially dogs and cattle. Some of the toxins it produces include paecilotoxins, byssochlamic acid, variotin, ferrirubin, viriditoxin, indole-3-acetic acid, fusigen and patulin. It has type I & III allergens and has been reported as a causative agent of allergic alveolitis. It may produce arsine gas if growing on an arsenic substrate; this can occur on wallpapers covered with paris green. Colonies are fast growing, powdery to suede-like, green-gold, yellow-brown, lilac or tan, but never green or blue-green like Penicillium. This genus is closely related to Penicillium and may be distinguished by having long slender phialides and colonies that are never green. (A_w-0.74-0.84) Culture – Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.