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Published on: March 19, 2019
Plain language summary: Does a person's age affect how common fungal infections are and how well drugs can kill the
Michael A Pfaller1,2, Cecilia G Carvalhaes1, Sean DeVries1
1JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, IA 52317, USA.
What Is This Summary About?:
Fungi are types of microbes that include molds and yeasts. Fungal infections can make people ill and can even cause death, especially in older people. They can be treated using antifungal drugs, but some fungi are drug resistant. This means the drug cannot kill the fungi. This is a summary based on a study that looked at fungal samples to find out more about antifungal drug resistance in adults younger than 65 compared with adults aged 65 and older.
What Were The Results?:
The study found that one type of drug-resistant fungus, called Candida parapsilosis, was more common in older people than in younger people. Another type, called Aspergillus fumigatus, was more common in younger people than in older people. We also found genetic changes in drug-resistant fungi. These changes could explain why the drugs did not work.
What Do The Results Mean?:
We hope that the findings from this study can help scientists create new treatments for drug-resistant fungal infections.
Insights
Drug-resistant fungal infections pose a significant threat, especially to older adults. This study compared antifungal drug resistance in adults younger than 65 versus those 65 and older, identifying key differences in fungal prevalence and genetic mutations.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in elderly populations.
- Antifungal drug resistance is an emerging global health threat, limiting treatment options.
- Understanding age-related differences in fungal resistance is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the prevalence of antifungal drug resistance in fungal pathogens between adults younger than 65 and adults aged 65 and older.
- To identify specific fungal species and genetic mutations associated with drug resistance in different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of fungal samples from adult patients across two age demographics: <65 years and ≥65 years.
- Identification of fungal species and assessment of their susceptibility to common antifungal agents.
- Genomic analysis to detect mutations in drug-resistant fungal isolates.
Main Results:
- Candida parapsilosis, a drug-resistant fungus, was found to be more prevalent in older adults (≥65 years).
- Aspergillus fumigatus, another drug-resistant fungus, showed higher prevalence in younger adults (<65 years).
- Specific genetic alterations were identified in drug-resistant fungal strains, potentially explaining treatment failures.
Conclusions:
- Age is a significant factor influencing the prevalence of specific drug-resistant fungal infections.
- Identified genetic mutations provide insights into the mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance.
- Findings may guide the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat resistant fungal infections in diverse age groups.
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