The indoor mycotoxins inhalation exposure of patients (n=25) was studied using a highvolume air sampler (60 cfm x 24 h) with a micropore-paper filter (8x11 inches). The filters were evaluated for cytotoxicity caused by mycotoxins using the MTT-cell culture bioassay and by culture identification. A subset of samples was analyzed with an enzyme-immuno assay for occurrence of macrocyclic trichothe...

Two novel staplabin analogs, SMTP-7 and -8, have been isolated from cultures of Stachybotrys microspora IFO 30018. Spectroscopic analyses showed that the SMTP-7 molecule consisted of two identical staplabin core structures and ornithine which bridges the two partial structures. In the SMTP-8 molecule, the bridging unit was lysine. At concentrations of 80 approximately 150 microM, the two compou...

The 13C resonance spectra of fungal melanins from Aspergillus niger, Eurotium echinolatum, and Stachybotrys chartarum are reported. The spectra were taken in 5% W/W solution of the substances in 0.1 N NaOD in D2O using the Fourier-transform-technique. The spectra and possible assignments of the bands are discussed. The similarities of these spectra to those of soil humic acids are unexpectedly ...

A strain of the common mold Stachybotrys chartarum has been isolated from the lung of a child with pulmonary hemorrhage. We report the purification of stachyrase A, a new serine chymotrypsin-like proteinase from S. chartarum. This enzyme cleaves major protease inhibitors, several biologically active peptides, and collagen, all of which are found in the lung.

The existence of airborne mycotoxins in mold-contaminated buildings has long been hypothesized to be a potential occupant health risk. However, little work has been done to demonstrate the presence of these compounds in such environments. The presence of airborne macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins in indoor environments with known Stachybotrys chartarum contamination was therefore investigate...

A novel spirocyclic drimane coupled by two drimane fragment building blocks 2 and a new drimane 1 were identified in mycelia and culture broth of Stachybotrys sp. MF347. Their structures were established by spectroscopic means. This is the first example of spirocyclic drimane coupled by a spirodihydrobenzofuranlactam unit and a spirodihydroisobenzofuran unit; and the connecting position being N...