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Aspergillus section Fumigati: antifungal susceptibility patterns and sequence-based identification
Laura Alcazar-Fuoli1, Emilia Mellado, Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
1Servicio de Micologia, Centro Nacional de Microbiologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Carretera Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, Madrid 28220, Spain.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|January 24, 2008
Summary
This study identified six species within the Aspergillus Fumigati section from clinical samples. Some species exhibited resistance to common antifungal drugs, highlighting the need for further research into their clinical impact.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- The Aspergillus Fumigati section includes clinically significant fungal pathogens.
- Accurate identification of Aspergillus species is crucial for effective treatment.
- Emerging antifungal resistance in Aspergillus poses a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and identify Aspergillus strains from clinical samples.
- To evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profiles of these strains.
- To assess the potential for invasive infections by non-fumigatus Aspergillus species.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis using beta-tubulin and rodlet A gene sequencing.
- Antifungal susceptibility testing (MIC determination) for various antifungal agents.
- Isolation and characterization of 28 Aspergillus strains from clinical samples in Spain.
Main Results:
- Twenty-eight Aspergillus Fumigati section strains were classified into six species: Neosartorya hiratsukae, Neosartorya pseudofischeri, Aspergillus viridinutans, Aspergillus lentulus, Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis, and Aspergillus fumisynnematus.
- Aspergillus lentulus and Aspergillus fumigatiaffinis showed high minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, and ravuconazole.
- Neosartorya pseudofischeri and Aspergillus viridinutans displayed high MICs for itraconazole, voriconazole, and ravuconazole, while Neosartorya hiratsukae and Aspergillus fumisynnematus were susceptible to all tested antifungals.
Conclusions:
- Morphologically similar species to Aspergillus fumigatus can cause invasive infections.
- Several identified species exhibit reduced susceptibility or resistance to key antifungal drugs.
- Further investigation into the epidemiology and clinical significance of these Aspergillus species is warranted.
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