Dynamics of gliotoxin and bis(methylthio)gliotoxin production during the course of Aspergillus fumigatus infection.

Aspergillus fumigatus secondary metabolites may contribute to fungal survival. A new chromatographic method was applied to simultaneously characterize two relevant metabolites. Presence of toxic gliotoxin may indicate an early phase of development, whereas the detection of the inactive derivate may represent an advanced infection stage.