Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
Related to Penicillium: Penicillium marneffei
a genus of imperfect fungi of the form-class Hyphomycetes; many species are commonly found in the human environment. Some are toxic, and others are sources of penicillins.
A genus of fungi (class Ascomycetes, order Aspergillales), some species of which yield various antibiotic substances and biologicals; for example, P. citrinum yields citrinin; Penicillium claviforme, Penicillium expansum, and Penicillium patulum yield patulin; Penicillium chrysogenum yields penicillin; Penicillium griseofulvum yields griseofulvin; Penicillium notatum yields penicillin and notatin; Penicillium cyclopium and Penicillium puberulum yield penicillic acid; Penicillium purpurogenum and Penicillium rubrum yield rubratoxin. Penicillium marneffei is a true pathogen in Southeast Asia in bamboo rats.
Penicillium/Pen·i·cil·li·um/ (-sil´e-um) a genus of fungi.
n. pl. peni·cilliums or peni·cillia (-sĭl′ē-ə)
Any of various characteristically bluish-green fungi of the genus Penicillium that grow as molds on decaying fruits and ripening cheese and are used in the production of antibiotics such as penicillin and in making cheese.
Etymology: L, penicillus, paintbrush
a genus of imperfect fungi, some species of which have been tentatively linked to disease in humans, most notably in immunocompromised patients. Many species are commonly found in the human environment. Penicillin G is obtained from Penicillium chrysogenum and P. notatum.
A genus of fungi, some species of which yield various antibiotic substances and biologicals.
Penicillium(pĕn″ĭ-sĭl′ē-ŭm) [L. penicillum, brush]
A genus of molds belonging to the Ascomycetes (sac fungi). They form the blue molds that grow on fruits, bread, and cheese. A number of species (P. chrysogenum, P. notatum) are the source of penicillin. Occasionally in humans they produce infections of the external ear, skin, or respiratory passageways. They are common allergens. See: illustration
A species that may cause systemic infections, esp. in immunocompromised patients. It is found most often in Southeast Asia, where it frequently infects patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.illustration
PenicilliumOne of a range of common blue-green moulds of the genus Penicillium , that grow on decaying fruits and ripening cheese. Penicillium species such as P. notatum and P. rubrum were originally studied by Fleming in investigating the properties of the antibiotic penicillin. (Alexander Fleming, 1881–1955, Scottish bacteriologist).
Fungal genus; some species yield various antibiotic substances and biologicals.
a genus of mold-forming fungi that grow on stored feed and in growing plants. Some produce antibiotics, some can be opportunistic pathogens and some produce mycotoxins, including patulin.
Penicillium chrysogenum, Penicillium notatum
cultures of these fungi produce penicillin.
produces the neurotoxin citreoviridin which causes paralysis, convulsions and death in humans eating contaminated yellow rice. Resembles beriberi, thought originally to be due to thiamin deficiency.
produces ochratoxin, citrinin, causes growth retardation, hepatic necrosis and nephropathy.
Penicillium claviforme, Penicillium cyclopium, Penicillium divergens, Penicillium equinum, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium griseofulvum, Penicillium lapidosum, Penicillium leucopus, Penicilliummelinii, Penicillium novae-zeelandiae, Penicillium patulum (syn. Penicillium urticae)
produce the antibiotic patulin.
produces tremorgens which cause incoordination and recumbency and was thought at one time to cause ryegrass staggers.
Penicillium cyclopium, Penicillium jantinellum, Penicillium nigricans, Penicillium palitans, Penicillium piscarum, Penicillium puberulum
are soil fungi and produce tremorgens which cause tremor, ataxia and muscular rigidity in animals grazing infested pasture. The fungi were once thought to be involved in causing ryegrass staggers.
produces tremorgens and causes incoordination and recumbency.
causes hepatic necrosis and has carcinogenic properties.
produces rubratoxin and causes anemia and widespread hemorrhages in chickens.
grows on stored grain and ensilage; suspected of causing bovine abortion and retained placenta via an unidentified toxin. Produces roquefortine which causes tetanic convulsions in dogs.
contains rubratoxin which causes abdominal pain, jaundice, convulsions.
fungus which produces tremorgens, causing incoordination and recumbency.
grows on stored grain and produces ochratoxin which causes nephrosis mostly in pigs. Also produces citrinin and viomellin.