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Antifungal susceptibility of 175 Aspergillus isolates from various clinical and environmental sources

Raquel Sabino1, Elisabete Carolino2, Cristina Veríssimo1

  • 1National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge - URSZ- Infectious Diseases Department, Lisbon, Portugal.

Medical Mycology
|May 5, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Environmental and clinical Aspergillus isolates show varying antifungal resistance. Hospital environmental isolates are less susceptible to key antifungals like amphotericin B, impacting treatment choices.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Environmental Aspergillus species can exhibit antifungal resistance, posing a potential public health concern.
  • Understanding the susceptibility profiles of clinical and environmental Aspergillus isolates is crucial for effective antifungal therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the antifungal susceptibility profiles of clinical and environmental Aspergillus isolates.
  • To assess the implications of environmental source on antifungal resistance patterns.
  • To investigate Aspergillus isolates from diverse environmental origins (poultries, swineries, beach sand, hospital settings).

Main Methods:

  • Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on 41 clinical and 134 environmental Aspergillus isolates.
  • The Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) microdilution method was employed.
  • Isolates were sourced from various clinical and environmental locations, including hospital environments.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences were observed in species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profiles across different environmental sources.
  • Clinical isolates generally showed greater susceptibility to caspofungin, amphotericin B, and posaconazole compared to environmental isolates, with an exception for caspofungin.
  • Hospital environmental isolates exhibited significantly lower susceptibility to amphotericin B and posaconazole than clinical isolates.

Conclusions:

  • The species section of Aspergillus and its recovery site significantly influence antifungal susceptibility.
  • Antifungal resistance patterns in environmental Aspergillus isolates, particularly from hospital settings, differ from clinical isolates.
  • These findings highlight the need to consider isolate source when making initial antifungal treatment decisions.
Keywords:
Aspergillusantifungal susceptibilityclinicalenvironment

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