Memnoniella

Cellulolytic fungus very closely related to Stachybotrys. Both fungi have a worldwide distribution and often found together, and commonly found I soil. Recent studies on mycotoxins revealed that Memnoniella echinata can have toxicity similar to that of some isolates of S. chartarum. In terms of their chemical products, both S. chartarum and M. echinata produce phenylspirodrimanes, these two organisms differ in that latter produces griseofulvins. Both produce varing amounts of simple trichothecenes. Thus, it is suggested that Memnoniella should also be considered potentially dangerous in indoor air. The conidiophores are dark, simple, bearing at apex a cluster of 6 to 12 phialides; conidia of Memnoniella echinata are very similar to those of Stachybotrys, dark, 1-celled, globose. The major difference between the two fungi is that the conidia are in long persistent chains (aggregated in slimy heads in Stachybotrys). Also the aerodynamic diameter of Memnoniella is smaller and it would be expected to have an even greater potential to penetrate deep into lungs even though its mycotoxin content is less than that of Stachybotrys and Aspergillus species.