(New) Methods for Detection of Aspergillus fumigatus Resistance in Clinical Samples

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe incidence of invasive aspergillosis has increased substantially over the past few decades, accompanied by a change in susceptibility patterns ofAspergillus fumigatus with increasing resistance observed against triazole antifungals, including voriconazole and isavuconazole, the most commonly used antifungal agents for the disease. Culture-based methods for determining triazole resistance are still the gold standard but are time consuming and lack sensitivity. We sought to provide an update on non-culture-based methods for detecting resistance patterns toAspergillus.Recent FindingsNew molecular-based approaches for detecting triazole resistance toAspergillus, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect mutations to the Cyp51A protein, have been developed which are able to detect most triazole-resistantA. fumigatus strains in patients with invasive aspergillosis.SummaryOver the last few years, a number of non-culture-based methods for molecular detection ofAspergillus triazole resistance have been developed that may overcome some of the limitations of culture. These molecular methods are therefore of high epidemiological and clinical relevance, mainly in immunocompromised patients with hematological malignancies, where culture has particularly limited sensitivity. These assays are now able to detect most triazole-resistantAspergillus fumigatus strains. Given that resistance rates vary, clinical utility for these assays still depends on region...

Source: Current Fungal Infection Reports - June 19, 2019 Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research