IDENTIFICATION OF C-31 AND C-32 STEROLS IN PNEUMOCYSTIS-CARINII HOMINIS-INFECTED HUMAN LUNGS

Two sterols in autopsied whole lung specimens obtained from Pneumocyst is carinii pneumonia patients were detected by gas-liquid chromatograp hy and their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry and nucle ar magnetic resonance spectrometry. Both were in the lanosterol series ; the C-31 sterol. with a methyl group at C-24, was identified as euph orbol, and the more abundant C-32 Sterol, with an ethyl group st C-24, is given the trivial name pneumocysterol.