Thermophilic Actinomycetes from the Environment

Abstract

Thermophilic actinomycetes (Thermoactinomyces sp., T. vulgaris, Micropolyspora faeni, Saccharomonospora viridis, Streptomyces, Thermomonospora, Thermoascus auranticus, Thielavia sp., Mucor sp. and Chaetomium sp.) are causative agents of some forms of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) including farmer''s lung, bagassosis and mushroom worker''s lung in man and fog fever in cattle. The prevalence of these organisms was investigated in dust, water, homes, offices and factory environments in areas in the USA. Knowledge of the environmental flora will aid in the interpretation of diagnostic serology for HP.