Serpula

Serpula lacrymans

(Wulfen)P.Karst。(1884)

霉菌可以在许多方面影响人类。每个人都知道的一些最常见的与模具有关的问题与food spoilageor unsightly mold growths developing in our bathrooms or kitchens.

Most18beplay官网 live far away from the presence of humans and are not known to have any effect on us. Others are known to cause severe diseases, some of which can even be fatal. The subject of this article poses a different kind of threat, one which concerns the structural integrity of our homes. Namely, this devastating fungus can practically eat an entire house or building.

Serpula lacrymans整个年龄段的人类都困扰着人类 - 甚至在圣经中提到[1]。如今,在欧洲和北美,这是一个普遍存在的问题,每年要花费数亿美元的维修费用。

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什么是Serpula lacrymans

Serpula lacrymansis a species of fungus that is well known for causingwoodin many buildings. It is highly destructive, spreading over wooden structures and degrading the cellulose in them.Serpula lacrymansis considered to be the most destructive and least controllable fungus in Europe mainly due to its ability to transport nutrients over long distances.

这种真菌还在日本,韩国,印度,巴基斯坦,新西兰,澳大利亚,墨西哥,加拿大和美国的凉爽地区生长。在北美,Serpula lacrymansmainly occurs in the northern parts of the USA and Canada, while the similarly destructive American dry rot fungus Meluriporia incrassata is more frequent in the southern states and the Pacific Northwest [1].

Serpula lacrymansis well adapted to invade man-made structures. It can spread over great distances, not only by way of its reproductive spores but also by transportation of infected timber [2]. Colonization of wooden structures is rapid and is characterized by the formation of thick mycelial cords known as rhizopores. These root like structures serve to transport water and nutrients to distant parts of the organism. This is precisely why it is called “dry rot” – seemingly dry wood can be attacked as the fungus covers it.

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The fungus transports water from another source, enabling it to survive and begin eating into the wood. Still, the term “dry rot” is a bit of a misnomer, as a considerable amount of moisture is needed for a spore to germinate. Furthermore, the extent to which this fungus can transport water has been debated [1]. Interestingly,Serpula lacrymanshas the ability to grow through damp mortar, masonry, and plaster, enabling it to infect wood that is cut off from the original site of infection [3].

Serpula lacrymanshas a relatively low optimum growth temperature – about 20°C. It does not tolerate temperatures above 30°C for prolonged periods, and dies if exposed to temperatures of 50-70°C in wood [1].

Unlike its relatives,Serpula lacrymans在自然界中很少发现。它似乎纯粹是为了殖民人类结构而发展。相比之下,它的姊妹物种Serpula himantioides自然界广泛,导致针叶树的棕色腐烂。它在建筑物中很少发现,分解木材慢得多Serpula lacrymans[2]。

这些真菌具有一组酶,使它们能够分解并在木材中的纤维素上进食。有趣的是,Serpula lacrymans与其野生亲戚相比,具有降低的木材分解酶[2]。但是,这并不反映其破坏木材的能力,这远大于其任何亲戚。

Serpula lacrymansspores

Like all molds,Serpula lacrymans通过形成孢子复制。这些光滑的氰孢子的数量非常大(据估计是100 cm2basidiocarp可以在10分钟内产生5000万个孢子[4]),并且可以通过风携带,使它们能够穿越大距离。

Serpula lacrymansspores germinate at high relative humidity (over 95%) and when the moisture content in timber is over 30%. They are resistant to drying out and can remain viable for several years [5].

Unlike most other fungal spores,Serpula lacrymansspores are not major allergens. Even though they have been associated with allergic alveolitis [6], this species of mold requires cellulose in order to develop and is therefore not pathogenic to humans.

Serpula lacrymans鉴别

这种真菌会形成棕褐色至泥土棕色的菌丝体。它通过称为根瘤菌的水链广泛传播,最大厚度为2厘米,形成薄煎饼,例如产生生锈的红色孢子的水果体。当它降解和去除木材中的纤维素和半纤维素时,它留下了木质素,导致木材变碎和变暗。因此,它也称为棕色腐烂。

As various types of dry rot can be difficult to distinguish, most modern methods of identification rely on molecular methods such as protein or DNA based techniques [1].

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什么是Serpula lacrymans健康风险?

Not much is known about thehealth effectsofSerpula lacrymans在人类。可以理解的是,大多数研究集中on its wood damaging properties. However, it has been associated with allergic alveolitis [6]. Also, as it brings in water from external sources,Serpula lacrymans可以无意中为其他类型的真菌提供环境,包括那些对人类健康损害的真菌。

对损坏的建筑物的研究Serpula lacrymanshave shown the presence of a high diversity of molds, sometimes with high levels of fungal spores and even in rooms that were apparently undamaged by dry rot [7].

How to treatSerpula lacrymans

一个先决条件Serpula lacrymanstreatment is to identify and correct any moisture related construction issues that may have enabled its development in the first place. Leaky roofs or guttering, inappropriate floor structure, dampness infiltrating the walls through contact with soil, inadequate draining,poor ventilationand any sort of plumbing issue can be risk factors forSerpula lacrymans发展。不用说,如果这些问题无法纠正,任何治疗都毫无意义,因为真菌很容易恢复,尤其是因为周围空气富含孢子。

In many cases, performing these repairs will eventually get rid of the problem, particularly if the infestation was not a large one. If the timber and surrounding masonry are kept dry, the building is well ventilated and the temperature is kept relatively high, the fungus will slowly wither and die. However, in some cases the fungus must be actively removed by several methods.

Remediation attempts can be costly, especially in large buildings. In short, all infected timber has to be removed (along with an additional meter of healthy timber) and replaced. Any other infected materials must also be disposed of. Other methods of treatment include chemical treatment, heat treatment and even treatment with electromagnetic waves. There are also biological methods of control, specifically usingTrichoderma或某些细菌[1]。

However, all of these methods have their drawbacks. Chemical treatments have been criticized as they can be hazardous to wildlife as well as any later occupants of the building. Heat treatment is often not feasible, as the energy requirements can be enormous, and the timber is often so thick that high temperatures cannot be achieved at the center without damaging the exterior.

如果木材中有金属螺钉和紧固件,电磁处理是有风险的,而生物控制则使用散发性模具Trichodermais questionable [1]. Therefore, any remediation decisions should be made on a case to case basis.

最大Serpula lacrymansinfestations occur in old or historical buildings, particularly if they have been abandoned, neglected or been subject to fire damage and then soaked to extinguish the flames. However, this fungus can occur in any building if the conditions are right, so it is best to keep moisture in check and to sort out any issues promptly.

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如何摆脱Serpula lacrymans

Serpula lacrymanscan cause a lot of damage and can be costly to get rid of completely. As with most things,预防is easier than removal, so keep your house as dry as possible and fix any moisture related issues as they come up.

如果您碰巧已经有干燥的腐烂,第一步是mold properly identified, as this will influence the extent of the remediation. It is best if it is caught on time and can be killed by using environmental methods, i.e. drying out the area, lowering humidity and increasing ventilation.

It goes without saying that this is definitely not a fungus you should try to tackle yourself. It can cause extreme damage and making a mistake is easy. Any oversights when it comes to leaks or any other structural issues can easily put you back to square one.

In any case, if you see any wood damage in your home and are not sure if it is termites, dry rot, or something else, it is best to have it checked out as soon as possible. Mold Busters offer a comprehensive set of mold testing andremovalservices, and we have the knowledge and technology to identify and remove any type of mold.打电话给我们today to book an appointment.

References

  1. Schmidt O (2007). Indoor wood-decay basidiomycetes: Damage, causal fungi, physiology, identification and characterization, prevention and control. Mycol Prog. 6:261–279.
  2. Balasundaram SV,Hess J,Durling MB,Moody SC,Thorbek L,Progida C,Labutti K,Aerts A,Barry K,Grigoriev IV,Boddy L,HögbergN,Kauserud H,Kauserud H,Eastwood H,Eastwood DC,Skrede I(2018)。来自寒冷的真菌:干燥的腐烂预先适应建筑物的能力。ISME J. 12(3):791-801。
  3. Ridout B (1985). Dry Rot an Alternative Approach. Architect’s Journal. pp. 69-72
  4. Engh IB (2010). Evolution of the dry rot fungusSerpula lacrymansand its allies. Doctoral dissertation. University of Oslo.
  5. Ridout B (2000). Timber decay in buildings. The conservation approach to treatment. E & FN Spon, London.
  6. 科比DH,罗杰斯P(1991)。由于木 - 洛特真菌引起的过敏性肺泡炎。过敏12(2):89-94。
  7. Pottier D,Andre V,Rioult JP,Borreau A,Duhamel C,Bouchart VK,Richard E,Guibert M,Verite P,Garon D(2014)。空气传播的模具和霉菌毒素Serpula lacrymans- 损坏的房屋。Atmos民意调查。5:325–334。

Published:June 10, 2019

John Ward

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