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Aspergillus Biofilms in Human Disease.
Craig Williams1, Ranjith Rajendran2, Gordon Ramage2
1Institute of Healthcare Policy and Practice, University of West of Scotland, High St, Paisley, PA1 2BE, UK. craig.williams@uws.ac.uk.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|June 9, 2016
Summary
Aspergillus biofilms are clinically significant and resistant to antifungal drugs. This review covers their clinical importance and management strategies for these filamentous fungi.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- The biofilm phenotype of Aspergillus species is an important clinical entity.
- While industrially biofilms have been used in biofermentations, their role in clinical infection is less well defined.
- Recent research shows Aspergillus biofilms form both in vitro and in vivo.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the clinical importance of Aspergillus biofilms.
- To provide contemporary information on the clinical management of Aspergillus biofilms.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on Aspergillus biofilms.
- Analysis of adaptive resistance mechanisms in Aspergillus biofilms.
Main Results:
- Aspergillus biofilms exhibit exquisite resistance to antifungal therapies.
- Resistance mechanisms are adaptive and independent of defined genetic changes.
Conclusions:
- Aspergillus biofilms pose a significant clinical challenge due to their resistance.
- Effective clinical management strategies are crucial for combating these infections.
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