Phonetic: Trick-oh-derm-uh

Trichoderma is a widespread saprobe in temperate to tropical areas commonly found in soil and wood. Trichoderma is often found in polluted waters, dung, sewage plants and driftwood. It can be found on paper, and in wood construction and mineral fiber panels. This fungus is highly cellulolytic, and some species are considered to be parasitic on other fungi. Trichoderma is reported as a type I & III allergen. Inhalation of the conidia or the microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOC) may cause symptoms similar to those of Stachybotrys reactions. The species T. viridae is often isolated from indoor air samples and house dust. This species is used in commercial beer, wine and food processing. T. viridae has also been reported from a case of infection of a lungs (fungus ball), and cases of peritonitis (an infection or inflammation of the membrane that covers the surfaces of the organs in the abdomen). Conidia are 1-celled, oblong, smooth, green, and occur in balls or small wet masses at the tips of the phialides (bottle shaped cells that produce conidia). The colonies are fast growing, flat to cottony, white to green-yellow in color. Culture - Potato dextrose agar or Malt extract agar, 20° – 25°C, 7 – 10 days.