Emerging Antifungal Drug Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus and Among Other Species of Aspergillus

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to give an overview of recent findings on antifungal resistance inAspergillus fumigatus (the major causative agent of aspergillosis) and siblingAspergillus species, which can be hidden agents of aspergillosis.Recent FindingsAzole resistance by Cyp51A mutation inA.fumigatus is a growing problem worldwide. The resistance can occur in patients or in the environment. The former occurs by drug selection in the host, inducing mutations in Cyp51A. The latter is characterized by a tandem repeat in the promoter region ofcyp51A gene and mutation(s) in Cyp51A. Environmental resistant strains are prevailing rapidly and globally. Moreover, efflux pump and biofilm formation are closely related with antifungal resistance ofA.fumigatus. Finally, sibling species ofAspergillus are described with regard to antifungal resistance.SummaryEnvironmental azole-resistant strains have newly emerged and been dispersed globally, and continuous survey and countermeasures are urgently needed against these strains. Although the contributions of Cyp51A and efflux pumps to antifungal resistance are becoming clear, other resistance mechanisms remain unclear. Further investigations including genome comparisons will help to clarify the novel resistant mechanisms and to develop countermeasures or novel antifungal drugs against resistant strains ofA.fumigatus and otherAspergillus species that have low susceptibility to antifungal therapeutics.
Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research