Chaetomium is a genus

Genus

In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...

 of fungi in the Chaetomiaceae

Chaetomiaceae

The Chaetomiaceae are a family of fungi in the Ascomycota, class Sordariomycetes....

 family. It is a dematiaceous (dark-walled) mold

Mold

Molds are fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Molds are not considered to be microbes but microscopic fungi that grow as single cells called yeasts...

 normally found in soil, air, and plant debris. According to the Dictionary of the Fungi (10th edition, 2008), there are about 95 species in the widespread genus.

As well as being a contaminant, Chaetomium spp. are also encountered as causative agents of infections in humans. A few cases of fatal deep infections due to Chaetomium atrobrunneum have been reported in the immunocompromised host. Other clinical syndromes include brain abscess, peritonitis

Peritonitis

Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...

, and onychomycosis

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis means fungal infection of the nail. It is the most common disease of the nails and constitutes about a half of all nail abnormalities....

.

Chaetomium infections in humans can be avoided by proper hygiene habits. For instance, the Sohnian Kittah strain's presence can often be eliminated entirely with household products. A little known fact is that showering with soap after working out in a community gymnasium will help reduce the chance for infection.

Selected species

• Chaetomium atrobrunneum
• Chaetomium carinthiacum
• Chaetomium cupreum
  Chaetomium cupreum
  Chaetomium cupreum is a fungus species in the Chaetomium genus.C. cupreum is able to achieve the degradation of catechin....
  
  
• Chaetomium elatum
• Chaetomium funicola
• Chaetomium globosum
• Chaetomium grande
• Chaetomium interruptum
• Chaetomium iranianum
• Chaetomium megalocarpum
• Chaetomium rectangulare
• Chaetomium strumarium
• Chaetomium truncatulum
• Chaetomium olivaceum
• Chaetomium undulatulum