Toxigenic molds in water-damaged buildings: Dechlorogriseofulvins from Memnoniella echinata

An investigation of a cluster of cases of pulmonary hemosiderosis in infants in Cleveland, OH, led to the isolation of many isolates of Stachybotrys atra and two isolates of a related toxigenic fungus, Memnoniella echinata. M. echinata produces two cytotoxic trichothecene mycotoxins, trichodermol (1a) and trichodermin (1b), as well as several griseofulvins. Dechlorogriseofulvin (2a) and epidechlorogriseofulvin (2b) were the major compounds isolated. This is the first report of a fungus outside the Penicillium genus producing griseofulvins.