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Updated: Aug 24, 2025
Histological Quantification to Determine Lung Fungal Burden in Experimental Aspergillosis
Published on: March 9, 2018
Molecular Characterization and Antifungal Susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. among Patients with Underlying Lung
Ehssan Moglad1,2, Samar Saeed3, Humodi Saeed3
1Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj P.O. Box 173, Saudi Arabia.
Background:
Pulmonary aspergillosis is a lung infection caused by Aspergillus spp., which can cause severe illnesses in immunocompromised patients with underlying lung disease or who have asthma and inhale their spores. This study aimed to screen the antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus spp. isolated from patients with underlying pulmonary infections and characterize the isolates using PCR and sequencing.
Method:
Three hundred and eighty-four sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected and processed for the isolation and identification, and characterization of Aspergillus species and molecular amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region by the PCR and Sanger sequencing method. Antifungal susceptibility tests for itraconazole and voriconazole were performed using the E-test.
Result:
The overall results revealed that out of 384 patients, 32 (8.3%) were positive for fungal growth, including 28 (87.5%) Aspergillus spp. The highest resistance rate (100 and 44.4%) was obtained from itraconazole against A. niger and A. fumigatus. In contrast, voriconazole revealed the best activities against all tested fungi compared to itraconazole. All A. flavus were sensitive to voriconazole, while only 54.5% were sensitive to itraconazole. The MICs of E-test for Aspergillus spp were 1.6 ± 1.8 and 0.6 ± 0.93 for itraconazole and voriconazole, respectively.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of aspergillosis was high, with a significant association with underlying lung diseases. Voriconazole was the drug of choice for isolated fungi.
Insights
Pulmonary aspergillosis, a fungal lung infection, is prevalent in patients with lung disease. Voriconazole demonstrated superior antifungal activity against isolated Aspergillus species compared to itraconazole.
Area of Science:
- Medical Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Pulmonary aspergillosis is a serious lung infection caused by Aspergillus species.
- Immunocompromised individuals with underlying lung disease or asthma are particularly vulnerable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus species isolated from patients with pulmonary infections.
- To characterize these Aspergillus isolates using molecular techniques.
Main Methods:
- Collected 384 sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage samples.
- Isolated and identified Aspergillus species.
- Performed PCR and Sanger sequencing for characterization.
- Conducted E-test for antifungal susceptibility to itraconazole and voriconazole.
Main Results:
- 32 (8.3%) of 384 patients showed fungal growth; 28 (87.5%) were Aspergillus species.
- Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus exhibited high resistance to itraconazole (100% and 44.4%).
- Voriconazole showed better activity against all tested Aspergillus species, with all Aspergillus flavus isolates sensitive to it.
Conclusions:
- Aspergillosis prevalence was high and associated with underlying lung diseases.
- Voriconazole is recommended as the primary antifungal treatment for the isolated Aspergillus species.
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