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Isolation of Culturable Yeasts and Molds from Soils to Investigate Fungal Population Structure
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Environmental fungicides and triazole resistance in Aspergillus

Paul Bowyer1, David W Denning

  • 1National Aspergillosis Centre, University Hospital of South Manchester; Institute of Inflammation and Repair, University of Manchester; Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.

Pest Management Science
|April 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Environmental exposure to triazole fungicides may induce resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. This emergence of antifungal resistance poses risks to human health and food security.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Environmental Science
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Fungal infections, particularly those caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, present significant challenges in human health and agriculture.
  • Limited treatment options and the emergence of antifungal resistance necessitate understanding resistance origins.
  • Triazole resistance in A. fumigatus, notably the TR34/L98H mutation, has been increasingly recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the environmental origins of triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus.
  • To explore the role of environmental triazole fungicide exposure in the development of antifungal resistance.
  • To assess the implications of environmental resistance for human health and food security.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing studies on triazole resistance mechanisms in A. fumigatus.
  • Analysis of environmental sampling data identifying resistant strains.
  • In vitro studies, including molecular docking, to assess fungicide-environment interactions.

Main Results:

  • TR34/L98H triazole resistance strains of A. fumigatus have been identified in environmental soil samples.
  • In vitro studies suggest that exposure to specific triazole fungicides (e.g., difenoconazole, propiconazole) can induce resistance.
  • Clinical resistance mechanisms are diverse, but environmental de novo resistance is a significant factor.

Conclusions:

  • The environment is a likely origin for de novo triazole resistance in A. fumigatus.
  • Agricultural triazole fungicide use may contribute to the selection of resistant fungal strains.
  • Emerging environmental resistance has critical implications for managing fungal diseases in humans and agriculture, impacting food security.
Keywords:
Aspergillus fumigatusfungicideresistancetriazole

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