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Multi-resistant aspergillosis due to cryptic species

Susan Julie Howard1

  • 1Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK, susan.howard76@virginmedia.com.

Mycopathologia
|June 28, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Cryptic fungal species are increasingly causing human aspergillosis. These species often show antifungal resistance, necessitating accurate identification and susceptibility testing for effective patient treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Cryptic fungal species, morphologically identical but genetically distinct, are increasingly implicated in human aspergillosis.
  • Antifungal resistance is a significant concern associated with these cryptic species.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review susceptibility trends and clinical outcomes of infections caused by specific cryptic *Aspergillus* and *Neosartorya* species.
  • To emphasize the clinical importance of accurate species identification and antifungal susceptibility testing.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of case reports and data sets focusing on cryptic fungal species.
  • Analysis of antifungal susceptibility patterns and clinical presentations.

Main Results:

  • Identified specific cryptic species (*Aspergillus alliaceus, Aspergillus calidoustus, Aspergillus felis, Aspergillus lentulus, Aspergillus tubingensis, Aspergillus viridinutans*, and *Neosartorya pseudofischeri*) causing human infections.
  • Observed a higher prevalence of reduced antifungal susceptibility in these cryptic species.

Conclusions:

  • Accurate identification of cryptic fungal species is crucial for effective management of aspergillosis.
  • Antifungal susceptibility testing is essential to guide therapeutic decisions in cases of cryptic species infections.

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