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Aspergillus--classification and antifungal susceptibilities

Walter Buzina1

  • 1Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. walter.buzina@medunigraz.at

Current Pharmaceutical Design
|January 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Aspergillus fungi have significant industrial, food spoilage, and medical impacts. Most known species cause infections, and all tested Aspergillus are resistant to fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Fungal Genetics
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • The fungal genus Aspergillus holds significant importance for humans, encompassing industrial applications, food spoilage, and a wide range of diseases.
  • Hundreds of Aspergillus species are known, with nearly fifty capable of causing infections in humans and animals.
  • Recent taxonomic revisions have classified the genus Aspergillus into 8 subgenera and 22 sections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the spectrum of diseases caused by Aspergillus species.
  • To discuss the antifungal susceptibility profiles of Aspergillus species against currently available antifungals.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of Aspergillus-related diseases.
  • Analysis of antifungal susceptibility data for various Aspergillus species.

Main Results:

  • Aspergillus infections range from superficial cutaneous to invasive and systemic forms.
  • All investigated Aspergillus species exhibit resistance to fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine.
  • The paper details the susceptibility of Aspergillus to a broader range of antifungals.

Conclusions:

  • Aspergillus poses a significant threat due to its diverse pathogenic potential.
  • Established antifungal treatments like fluconazole and 5-fluorocytosine are ineffective against Aspergillus.
  • Understanding Aspergillus antifungal resistance is critical for developing effective treatment strategies.

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