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Published on: May 16, 2020
In vitro susceptibility-testing in Aspergillus species
Cornelia Lass-Flörl1, Susanne Perkhofer
1Department of Hygiene and Clinical Microbiology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria. cornelia.lass-floerl@i-med.ac.at
Mycoses
|April 22, 2008
Summary
Antifungal susceptibility testing for Aspergillus species is crucial due to emerging resistance. This review examines current in vitro methods and their clinical relevance for invasive mould infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Aspergillus species are primary causes of invasive fungal infections in immunocompromised individuals.
- Emerging antifungal resistance necessitates reliable in vitro susceptibility testing.
- Standardized methods are vital for guiding treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing methods for Aspergillus species.
- To discuss the development of new European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility-testing (EUCAST) guidelines.
- To explore the clinical implications of these susceptibility tests.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Aspergillus antifungal susceptibility testing.
- Discussion of established methods like M38-A and Etest.
- Overview of the EUCAST Antifungal Susceptibility-testing Subcommittee (AFST-EUCAST) initiatives.
Main Results:
- Multiple in vitro testing methods are available, including macrodilution, microdilution, and diffusion assays.
- The M38-A reference method and Etest are widely used.
- New EUCAST guidelines are being developed to define breakpoints for Aspergillus spp.
Conclusions:
- Accurate in vitro susceptibility testing is essential for managing Aspergillus infections.
- Standardization of testing methods is ongoing through initiatives like EUCAST.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the clinical impact of in vitro antifungal susceptibility data.
