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Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance
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Whole Genome Sequencing of Candida glabrata for Detection of Markers of Antifungal Drug Resistance

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Epidemiology and molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in Candida and Aspergillus

Sarah Santos Gonçalves1, Ana Carolina Remondi Souza1, Anuradha Chowdhary2

  • 1Laboratório Especial de Micologia, Disciplina de Infectologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Mycoses
|January 27, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Antifungal resistance is rising in Candida and Aspergillus species due to increased use of antifungal agents and agricultural fungicides. Global surveillance is crucial for early detection and effective infection control policies.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Increased use of antifungal agents for candidiasis and invasive aspergillosis, alongside agricultural azole fungicides, drives antifungal resistance.
  • Emerging resistance to triazoles and echinocandins is observed in Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis, previously sensitive to fluconazole.
  • Triazole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is prevalent globally, linked to specific mutations, necessitating widespread monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the emergence of antifungal resistance in clinical isolates of Candida and Aspergillus species.
  • To emphasize the need for global surveillance of antifungal resistance patterns.
  • To inform the development of effective infection control and treatment policies.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of clinical isolates of Candida and Aspergillus species.
  • Review of emerging resistance patterns to triazoles and echinocandins.
  • Geographical mapping of resistance mutations in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Main Results:

  • Significant increase in antifungal resistance, particularly to triazoles and echinocandins.
  • Emergence of resistance in Candida species previously sensitive to fluconazole.
  • Global spread of azole resistance mutations in Aspergillus fumigatus.

Conclusions:

  • Antifungal resistance poses a growing threat, necessitating continuous surveillance.
  • Monitoring infection rates and resistance in diverse populations is vital for public health.
  • Implementation of robust infection control strategies and treatment policies is urgently required.
Keywords:
Antifungal resistanceAspergillus spp.Candida spp.amphotericin Bazolesechinocandins

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