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Castro-Fuentes CA, Frías-De-León MG, González-Villaseñor MDC, Duarte-Escalante E, Valencia-Ledezma OE, Martínez-Gamboa A, Meraz-Ríos B, Reyes-Montes MDR. Evaluation of Primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to Identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger from Polymorphic Patterns Obtained by RAPD-PCR. Pathogens 2024; 13:574. [PMID: 39057801 PMCID: PMC11280055 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13070574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the specificity of the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 to identify A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively, with the RAPD-PCR method. Eighty-two isolates belonging to the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri were used. The isolates were identified by phenotypic (macro- and micromorphology) and genotypic (partial sequences of the BenA gene) methods. The RAPD-PCR method was used to obtain polymorphic patterns with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253. The specificity of the polymorphic patterns of the isolates of each species was evaluated through the UPGMA clustering method and logistic regression model. All isolates of the genus Aspergillus were identified at the section level by macro- and micromorphology showing the typical morphology of the sections Fumigati, Flavi, and Nigri, and the species were identified by the construction of the phylogeny of the partial sequence of the BenA gene. The patterns' polymorphic strains obtained with the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 for the isolates of A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A niger, respectively, showed the same polymorphic pattern as the reference strains for each species. To verify the specificity of the primers, they were tested with other species from the sections Fumigati, Flavi and Nigri. The results support that the primers OPF-01, P54, and 1253 generate polymorphic patterns by RAPD-PCR species specific to A. fumigatus, A. flavus, and A. niger, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Castro-Fuentes
- Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico;
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, IMSS-Bienestar. Calle Gustavo E. Campa 54, Col. Guadalupe Inn, Alcaldía Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City 01020, Mexico;
| | - María Guadalupe Frías-De-León
- Unidad de Investigación Biomédica, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, IMSS-Bienestar. Calle Gustavo E. Campa 54, Col. Guadalupe Inn, Alcaldía Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City 01020, Mexico;
| | | | - Esperanza Duarte-Escalante
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (E.D.-E.); (B.M.-R.)
| | - Omar Esteban Valencia-Ledezma
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Regional de Alta Especialidad de Ixtapaluca, IMSS-Bienestar. Calle Gustavo E. Campa 54, Col. Guadalupe Inn, Alcaldía Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City 01020, Mexico;
| | - Areli Martínez-Gamboa
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Vasco de Quiroga 15, Belisario Domínguez Secc. 16, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14080, Mexico;
| | - Beatriz Meraz-Ríos
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (E.D.-E.); (B.M.-R.)
| | - María del Rocío Reyes-Montes
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico; (E.D.-E.); (B.M.-R.)
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Geremia N, Giovagnorio F, Colpani A, De Vito A, Caruana G, Meloni MC, Madeddu G, Panese S, Parisi SG. What do We Know about Cryptic Aspergillosis? Microorganisms 2024; 12:886. [PMID: 38792716 PMCID: PMC11124275 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptic Aspergillus species are increasingly recognized as pathogens involved in human disease. They are ubiquitarian fungi with high tenacity in their environment and can express various resistance mechanisms, often due to exposure to antifungal agents employed in agriculture and farming. The identification of such species is increasing thanks to molecular techniques, and a better description of this type of pathogen is granted. Nevertheless, the number of species and their importance in the clinical setting still need to be well studied. Furthermore, their cross-sectional involvement in animal disease, plants, and human activities requires a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields. This comprehensive review aims to provide a sharp vision of the cryptic Aspergillus species, from the importance of correct identification to the better management of the infections caused by these pathogens. The review also accentuates the importance of the One Health approach for this kind of microorganism, given the interconnection between environmental exposure and aspergillosis, embracing transversely the multidisciplinary process for managing the cryptic Aspergillus species. The paper advocates the need for improving knowledge in this little-known species, given the burden of economic and health implications related to the diffusion of these bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Geremia
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy;
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - Federico Giovagnorio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35121 Padua, Italy; (F.G.); (S.G.P.)
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
- Biomedical Science Department, School in Biomedical Science, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giorgia Caruana
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute of microbiology, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland;
- Infectious Diseases Service, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Maria Chiara Meloni
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.C.); (A.D.V.); (M.C.M.); (G.M.)
| | - Sandro Panese
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy;
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical Medicine, Ospedale Civile “S.S. Giovanni e Paolo”, 30122 Venice, Italy
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Thakur R, Shishodia SK, Sharma A, Chauhan A, Kaur S, Shankar J. Accelerating the understanding of Aspergillus terreus: Epidemiology, physiology, immunology and advances. CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES 2024; 6:100220. [PMID: 38303967 PMCID: PMC10831165 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2024.100220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species encompass a variety of infections, ranging from invasive aspergillosis to allergic conditions, contingent upon the immune status of the host. In this spectrum, Aspergillus terreus stands out due to its emergence as a notable pathogen and its intrinsic resistance to amphotericin-B. The significance of Aspergillus-associated infections has witnessed a marked increase in the past few decades, particularly with the increasing number of immunocompromised individuals. The exploration of epidemiology, morphological transitions, immunopathology, and novel treatment approaches such as new antifungal drugs (PC945, olorofim) and combinational therapy using antifungal drugs and phytochemicals (Phytochemicals: quercetin, shikonin, artemisinin), also using immunotherapies to modulate immune response has resulted in better outcomes. Furthermore, in the context COVID-19 era and its aftermath, fungal infections have emerged as a substantial challenge for both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. This is attributed to the use of immune-suppressing therapies during COVID-19 infections and the increase in transplant cases. Consequently, this review aims to provide an updated overview encompassing the epidemiology, germination events, immunopathology, and novel drug treatment strategies against Aspergillus terreus-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raman Thakur
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
| | | | - Ananya Sharma
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Arjun Chauhan
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Applied Sciences and Humanities, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sumanpreet Kaur
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab, India
| | - Jata Shankar
- Genomic Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Waknaghat Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
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De Francesco MA. Drug-Resistant Aspergillus spp.: A Literature Review of Its Resistance Mechanisms and Its Prevalence in Europe. Pathogens 2023; 12:1305. [PMID: 38003770 PMCID: PMC10674884 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12111305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Infections due to the Aspergillus species constitute an important challenge for human health. Invasive aspergillosis represents a life-threatening disease, mostly in patients with immune defects. Drugs used for fungal infections comprise amphotericin B, triazoles, and echinocandins. However, in the last decade, an increased emergence of azole-resistant Aspergillus strains has been reported, principally belonging to Aspergillus fumigatus species. Therefore, both the early diagnosis of aspergillosis and its epidemiological surveillance are very important to establish the correct antifungal therapy and to ensure a successful patient outcome. In this paper, a literature review is performed to analyze the prevalence of Aspergillus antifungal resistance in European countries. Amphotericin B resistance is observed in 2.6% and 10.8% of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates in Denmark and Greece, respectively. A prevalence of 84% of amphotericin B-resistant Aspergillus flavus isolates is reported in France, followed by 49.4%, 35.1%, 21.7%, and 20% in Spain, Portugal, Greece, and amphotericin B resistance of Aspergillus niger isolates is observed in Greece and Belgium with a prevalence of 75% and 12.8%, respectively. The prevalence of triazole resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus isolates, the most studied mold obtained from the included studies, is 0.3% in Austria, 1% in Greece, 1.2% in Switzerland, 2.1% in France, 3.9% in Portugal, 4.9% in Italy, 5.3% in Germany, 6.1% in Denmark, 7.4% in Spain, 8.3% in Belgium, 11% in the Netherlands, and 13.2% in the United Kingdom. The mechanism of resistance is mainly driven by the TR34/L98H mutation. In Europe, no in vivo resistance is reported for echinocandins. Future studies are needed to implement the knowledge on the spread of drug-resistant Aspergillus spp. with the aim of defining optimal treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonia De Francesco
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Microbiology, University of Brescia, ASST Spedali Civili, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Steixner S, Vahedi Shahandashti R, Siller A, Ulmer H, Reider N, Schennach H, Lass-Flörl C. Aspergillus terreus Antibody Serosurveillance in Tyrol: A Population-Based, Cross-Sectional Study of a Healthy Population. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:1008. [PMID: 37888264 PMCID: PMC10607556 DOI: 10.3390/jof9101008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The rare, but emerging mold Aspergillus terreus is an important pathogen in some geographical areas, like Tyrol (Austria) and Houston (Texas). The reason for this high prevalence is unknown. The present serosurveillance study aimed to evaluate the trends in levels of A. terreus-specific IgG antibodies in various regions of Tyrol and to compare the results to the environmental spread of A. terreus in Tyrol. Therefore, 1058 serum samples from healthy blood donors were evaluated. Data revealed a significant difference between the Tyrolean Upland and Lowland. Moreover, female participants had higher A. terreus IgG antibody levels than male participants. The differences found in our study are consistent with the distributional differences in environmental and clinical samples described in previous studies, supporting that A. terreus IgG antibody levels reflect the environmental epidemiology of A. terreus in Tyrol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Steixner
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (S.S.); (R.V.S.)
| | - Roya Vahedi Shahandashti
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (S.S.); (R.V.S.)
| | - Anita Siller
- Central Institute for Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (A.S.); (H.S.)
| | - Hanno Ulmer
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria;
| | - Norbert Reider
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria;
| | - Harald Schennach
- Central Institute for Blood Transfusion and Immunology, Tirol Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (A.S.); (H.S.)
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Tirol, Austria; (S.S.); (R.V.S.)
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Abreu R, Martinho A, Noiva R, Pissarra H, Cota J, Cunha E, Tavares L, Oliveira M. Osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus terreus complex in a dog: a case report. BMC Vet Res 2023; 19:76. [PMID: 37291542 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-023-03628-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In dogs, the most frequently reported mycosis associated with Aspergillus spp. are respiratory infections. Systemic aspergillosis is uncommon, with reported cases been associated with several Aspergillus species. Aspergillus terreus species complex are ubiquitous organisms, unfrequently associated with local or systemic disease in animals and humans, and treatment of osteomyelitis caused by this species is usually unfavorable. CASE PRESENTATION This case report describes the case of a 5-year-old dog, referred to the Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, with a history of lameness of the right thoracic limb. Radiographs and CT scan revealed two different lesions on right humerus and radio, which were biopsied. The samples collected were submitted to cytological and histopathological evaluation and bacterial and mycological culture. Environmental samples, including of the surgery room and of the biopsy needle were also evaluated for the presence of fungi. Regarding biopsy samples, bacterial culture was negative, but mycological analysis originated a pure culture of a fungal species later identified as Aspergillus terreus by Sanger sequencing. Results were compatible with histopathologic examination, which revealed periosteal reaction and invasion of hyphae elements. Also, mycological analysis of both environmental samples evaluated were negative. The virulence profile of the fungal isolate was phenotypically characterized using specific media, allowing to reveal its ability to produce several enzymes involved in its pathogenicity, namely lipase, hemolysin and DNAse, corresponding to a Virulence Index (V. Index.) of 0.43. The patient was submitted to itraconazole therapy for 8 weeks. After 3 weeks, the patient showed significant clinical improvement, and after 6 weeks no radiographic signs were observed. CONCLUSIONS Antifungal therapy with itraconazole can contribute to the remission of canine infections promoted by Aspergillus terreus complex with a relevant V. Index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Abreu
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - António Martinho
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rute Noiva
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hugo Pissarra
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João Cota
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Eva Cunha
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luís Tavares
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Manuela Oliveira
- CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado Para Ciência Animal E Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Lisboa, Portugal
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Vahedi-Shahandashti R, Houbraken J, Birch M, Lass-Flörl C. Novel Antifungals and Aspergillus Section Terrei with Potpourri Susceptibility Profiles to Conventional Antifungals. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:649. [PMID: 37367585 DOI: 10.3390/jof9060649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The epidemiology of invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is currently changing, driven by aggressive immunosuppressive therapy, leading to an expanded spectrum of patients at risk of IFIs. Aspergillosis is a leading cause of IFIs, which usually affects immunocompromised patients. There are a limited number of antifungal medications available for treating IFIs, and their effectiveness is often hindered by rising resistance rates and practical limitations. Consequently, new antifungals, especially those with novel mechanisms of action, are increasingly required. This study assessed the activity of four novel antifungal agents with different mechanisms of activity, namely, manogepix, rezafungin, ibrexafungerp, and olorofim, against 100 isolates of Aspergillus section Terrei, containing amphotericin-B (AmB)-wildtype/non-wildtype and azole-susceptible/-resistant strains, according to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) method. In general, all tested agents showed potent and consistent activity against the tested isolates, exhibiting geometric mean (GM) and minimum effective concentration (MEC)/minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges, respectively, as follows: manogepix (0.048 mg/L, 0.032-0.5 mg/L), rezafungin (0.020 mg/L, 0.016-0.5 mg/L), ibrexafungerp (0.071 mg/L, 0.032-2 mg/L), and olorofim (0.008 mg/L, 0.008-0.032 mg/L). In terms of MIC90/MEC90, olorofim had the lowest values (0.008 mg/L), followed by rezafungin (0.032 mg/L), manogepix (0.125 mg/L), and ibrexafungerp (0.25 mg/L). All the antifungals tested demonstrated promising in vitro activity against Aspergillus section Terrei, including A. terreus as well as azole-resistant and AmB-non-wildtype cryptic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Vahedi-Shahandashti
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Wang HC, Hsieh MI, Choi PC, Wu WL, Wu CJ. Species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of clinical Aspergillus isolates: A multicentre study in Taiwan, 2016-2020. Mycoses 2023. [PMID: 37186489 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological knowledge is important to guide antifungal therapy. OBJECTIVE This multicentre study aimed to investigate the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility of Aspergillus isolates in Taiwan. METHOD Four hundred and ninety-two clinical Aspergillus isolates, collected during 2016-2020, were identified by calmodulin sequencing and tested for antifungal susceptibility using CLSI M38-A3. The Cyp51A sequences of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus isolates were analysed. RESULTS This collection comprised 30 species from eight Aspergillus sections-Flavi (33.5%), Nigri (26.0%), Fumigati (24.2%), Terrei (10.0%), Nidulantes (5.1%), Circumdati (0.8%), Restricti (0.2%) and Aspergillus (0.2%). Sections Fumigati, Flavi and Terrei were primarily represented by A. fumigatus (99.2%), A. flavus (95.8%) and A. terreus (100%), respectively. Section Nigri comprised nine species, mostly A. welwitschiae (60.2%), A. niger (12.5%), A. brunneoviolaceus (10.9%) and A. tubingensis (10.2%). A. fumigatus (39.6%) and A. flavus (26.4%) predominated among 53 isolates from lower respiratory samples, whereas section Nigri species (46.2%) and A. terreus (29.2%) predominated among 65 isolates from ear samples. Reduced susceptibility to amphotericin B (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 1 μg/mL) was noted in A. flavus (7.0%), A. terreus (6.1%), A. nidulans and section Circumdati (A. flocculosus, A. subramanianii and A. westerdijkiae) isolates. Acquired azole resistance was observed in seven A. fumigatus (5.9%), all of which carried TR34 /L98H or TR34 /L98H/S297T/F495I mutation, and three A. flavus (1.9%), one of which carried G441S mutation. Reduced susceptibility to itraconazole (MIC >1 μg/mL) was noted in 55.5% of section Nigri isolates, mainly in A. welwitschiae, A. niger and A. tubingensis, whereas A. brunneoviolaceus, A. aculeatinus and A. japonicus were hypersusceptible to azoles. Anidulafungin was active against all isolates except for one isolate. CONCLUSIONS This study depicted the molecular epidemiology and species-specific characteristics of Aspergillus in Taiwan, which aids in appropriate antifungal therapy and underlines the need of speciation and susceptibility testing of disease-causing Aspergillus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsuan-Chen Wang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-I Hsieh
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pui-Ching Choi
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Lin Wu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Jung Wu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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Vahedi-Shahandashti R, Hahn L, Houbraken J, Lass-Flörl C. Aspergillus Section Terrei and Antifungals: From Broth to Agar-Based Susceptibility Testing Methods. J Fungi (Basel) 2023; 9:jof9030306. [PMID: 36983474 PMCID: PMC10056208 DOI: 10.3390/jof9030306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Providing timely antifungal treatment to patients suffering from life-threatening invasive fungal infections (IFIs) is essential. Due to the changing epidemiology and the emergence of antifungal resistance in Aspergillus, the most commonly responsible mold of IFIs, antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) has become increasingly important to guide clinical decisions. This study assessed the essential agreement (EA) between broth microdilution methods (the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST)) and the Etest of amphotericin B (AmB), liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB), and isavuconazole (ISA) against 112 Aspergillus section Terrei. An EA within ±2 dilutions of ≥90% between the two methods was considered acceptable. Excellent EA was found between EUCAST and CLSI of AmB and ISA (98.2% and 95.5%, respectively). The correlation of Etest results and EUCAST/CLSI was not acceptable (<90%) for any tested antifungal; however, Etest and CLSI for AmB (79.6%) and ISA (77.6%) showed a higher EA than Etest and EUCAST for AmB (49.5%) and ISA (46.4%). It was concluded that the Etest method requires its own clinical breakpoints (CBPs) and epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs), and interpreting Etest results using EUCAST and CLSI-adapted CBPs and ECVs could result in misinterpretation as Etest shows lower minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roya Vahedi-Shahandashti
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lisa Hahn
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Jos Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Correspondence:
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10
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Kidd SE, Abdolrasouli A, Hagen F. Fungal Nomenclature: Managing Change is the Name of the Game. Open Forum Infect Dis 2023; 10:ofac559. [PMID: 36632423 PMCID: PMC9825814 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofac559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Fungal species have undergone and continue to undergo significant nomenclatural change, primarily due to the abandonment of dual species nomenclature in 2013 and the widespread application of molecular technologies in taxonomy allowing correction of past classification errors. These have effected numerous name changes concerning medically important species, but by far the group causing most concern are the Candida yeasts. Among common species, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida lusitaniae, and Candida rugosa have been changed to Pichia kudriavzevii, Nakaseomyces glabrata, Meyerozyma guilliermondii, Clavispora lusitaniae, and Diutina rugosa, respectively. There are currently no guidelines for microbiology laboratories on implementing changes, and there is ongoing concern that clinicians will dismiss or misinterpret laboratory reports using unfamiliar species names. Here, we have outlined the rationale for name changes across the major groups of clinically important fungi and have provided practical recommendations for managing change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Kidd
- Correspondence: Sarah E. Kidd, BMedSc(Hons), PhD , National Mycology Reference Centre, SA Pathology, Frome Road, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia ()
| | - Alireza Abdolrasouli
- Department of Medical Microbiology, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom,Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ferry Hagen
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands,Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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11
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Rayón-López G, Carapia-Minero N, Medina-Canales MG, García-Pérez BE, Reséndiz-Sánchez J, Pérez NO, Rodríguez-Tovar AV, Ramírez-Granillo A. Lipid-Like Biofilm from a Clinical Brain Isolate of Aspergillus terreus: Quantification, Structural Characterization and Stages of the Formation Cycle. Mycopathologia 2022; 188:35-49. [PMID: 36515766 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-022-00692-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Invasive infections caused by filamentous fungi have increased considerably due to the alteration of the host's immune response. Aspergillus terreus is considered an emerging pathogen and has shown resistance to amphotericin B treatment, resulting in high mortality. The development of fungal biofilm is a virulence factor, and it has been described in some cases of invasive aspergillosis. In addition, although the general composition of fungal biofilms is known, findings related to biofilms of a lipid nature are rarely reported. In this study, we present the identification of a clinical strain of A. terreus by microbiological and molecular tools, also its in vitro biofilm development capacity: (i) Biofilm formation was quantified by Crystal Violet and reduction of tetrazolium salts assays, and simultaneously the stages of biofilm development were described by Scanning Electron Microscopy in High Resolution (SEM-HR). (ii) Characterization of the organizational structure of the biofilm was performed by SEM-HR. The hyphal networks developed on the surface, the abundant air channels created between the ECM (extracellular matrix) and the hyphae fused in anastomosis were described. Also, the presence of microhyphae is reported. (iii) The chemical composition of the ECM was analyzed by SEM-HR and CLSM (Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy). Proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and a relevant presence of lipid components were identified. Some structures of apparent waxy appearance were highlighted by SEM-HR and backscatter-electron diffraction, for which CLSM was previously performed. To our knowledge, this work is the first description of a lipid-type biofilm in filamentous fungi, specifically of the species A. terreus from a clinical isolate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerardo Rayón-López
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Natalee Carapia-Minero
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Jesús Reséndiz-Sánchez
- Mycology Laboratory, Hospital Infantil de México "Dr. Federico Gómez", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Néstor O Pérez
- Research and Development Department Probiomed SA de CV, Tenancingo Edo. de Mex., Mexico
| | - Aída Verónica Rodríguez-Tovar
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico.
- Laboratorio de Micología Médica, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 11340, México, CDMX, México.
| | - Adrián Ramírez-Granillo
- Medical Mycology Laboratory, Microbiology Department, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas (ENCB), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City, Mexico.
- Clinical Laboratory Technician Academy, Centro de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos No. 6 "Miguel Othón de Mendizábal", IPN, Mexico City, Mexico.
- Laboratorio de Micología Médica, Departamento de Microbiología, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala s/n, ENCB-Instituto Politécnico Nacional, 11340, México, CDMX, México.
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12
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Punia A, Choudhary P, Sharma N, Dahiya S, Gulia P, Chhillar AK. Therapeutic Approaches for Combating Aspergillus Associated Infection. Curr Drug Targets 2022; 23:1465-1488. [PMID: 35748549 DOI: 10.2174/1389450123666220623164548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Now-a-days fungal infection emerges as a significant problem to healthcare management systems due to high frequency of associated morbidity, mortality toxicity, drug-drug interactions, and resistance of the antifungal agents. Aspergillus is the most common mold that cause infection in immunocompromised hosts. It's a hyaline mold that is cosmopolitan and ubiquitous in nature. Aspergillus infects around 10 million population each year with a mortality rate of 30-90%. Clinically available antifungal formulations are restricted to four classes (i.e., polyene, triazole, echinocandin, and allylamine), and each of them have their own limitations associated with the activity spectrum, the emergence of resistance, and toxicity. Consequently, novel antifungal agents with modified and altered chemical structures are required to combat these invasive fungal infections. To overcome these limitations, there is an urgent need for new antifungal agents that can act as potent drugs in near future. Currently, some compounds have shown effective antifungal activity. In this review article, we have discussed all potential antifungal therapies that contain old antifungal drugs, combination therapies, and recent novel antifungal formulations, with a focus on the Aspergillus associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aruna Punia
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Pooja Choudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Namita Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Sweety Dahiya
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Prity Gulia
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
| | - Anil K Chhillar
- Department of Biotechnology, Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak, Haryana 124001, India
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13
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Pangging M, Nguyen TTT, Lee HB. Seven Undescribed Aspergillus Species from Different Niches in Korea. MYCOBIOLOGY 2022; 50:189-202. [PMID: 36158044 PMCID: PMC9467543 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2022.2116158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An investigation of species of the genus Aspergillus present in arthropod, freshwater, and soil led to the discovery of seven undescribed species in Korea. Based on their morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny analyses using a combined data set of β-tubulin (BenA) and calmodulin (CaM) sequences, the isolated strains CNUFC IGS2-5, CNUFC YJ1-19, CNUFC WD27, CNUFC U8-70, CNUFC AS2-24, CNUFC S32-1, and CNUFC U7-48, were identified as Aspergillus brunneoviolaceus, A. capensis, A. floccosus, A. inflatus, A. parvulus, A. polyporicola, and A. spelaeus, respectively. In the present study, the detailed morphological descriptions and phylogenetic relationships of these species are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monmi Pangging
- Environmental Microbiology Lab, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Thuong T. T. Nguyen
- Environmental Microbiology Lab, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hyang Burm Lee
- Environmental Microbiology Lab, Department of Agricultural Biological Chemistry, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
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14
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Badiee P, Boekhout T, Zarei Mahmoudabadi A, Mohammadi R, Ayatollahi Mousavi SA, Najafzadeh MJ, Soltani J, Hashemi J, Diba K, Ghadimi-Moghadam A, Salimi-Khorashad AR, Shokohi T, Amin Shahidi M, Ghasemi F, Jafarian H. Multicenter Study of Susceptibility of Aspergillus Species Isolated from Iranian University Hospitals to Seven Antifungal Agents. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0253921. [PMID: 35579442 PMCID: PMC9241793 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02539-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species are a major cause of life-threatening invasive infections and noninvasive diseases. This study seeks to investigate the frequency of Aspergillus species among Iranian patients and their susceptibility to seven antifungals. In a cross-sectional study, 233 Aspergillus isolates were collected from 11 university hospitals in Iran between 2018 and 2021. Aspergillus isolates were identified based on colony morphology, microscopic characteristics, PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and sequencing of the beta-tubulin gene. The CLSI M38-A2 reference methodology was used for antifungal susceptibility testing of amphotericin B, voriconazole, posaconazole, itraconazole, luliconazole, isavuconazole, and caspofungin. Members of Aspergillus section Flavi (117/233, 50.2%), Aspergillus section Nigri (77/233, 33.1%), Aspergillus section Fumigati (21/233, 9%), Aspergillus section Terrei (14/233, 6%), Aspergillus pseudodeflectus (2/233, 0.85%), and Aspergillus melleus (2/233, 0.85%) were isolated from the samples. The lowest 0.25 MIC90 values for all isolates tested were for luliconazole (0.016 μg/mL) and isavuconazole (0.250 μg/mL), and the highest value was observed for itraconazole (≥ 8μg/mL). The 90% minimum effective concentration (MEC90) value for caspofungin was 0.125 μg/mL. MIC90 values for voriconazole, amphotericin B, and posaconazole were 1, 2, and 2 μg/mL, respectively. The non-wild-type species were presented for amphotericin B (3%), voriconazole (1.3%), posaconazole (2.6%), luliconazole (1.3%), isavuconazole (1.7%), and caspofungin (4.7%). Positive correlations in the MIC values of azole antifungals were observed, and using one azole increases the MIC value rates of other ones. None of the species were pan-azole resistant. Species of Aspergillus section Flavi were the most common Aspergillus species isolated from Iranian samples. Luliconazole, caspofungin, and isavuconazole present the most effective antifungal agents for treatment of infection due to Aspergillus species. Susceptibility tests should be performed frequently in each region for the best management of patients. IMPORTANCE Aspergillus species are the leading cause of invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts. The susceptibility of Aspergillus species to antifungal agents might be different. Azole-resistant species have emerged worldwide. Performing susceptibility testing in each region can help in the best management of patients. Here, we show the epidemiology and distribution of Aspergillus species in Iran and their susceptibility patterns for seven antifungal agents. The significant points of the present study are that species of Aspergillus section Flavi are the most prevalent Aspergillus species isolated from 11 university hospitals. Luliconazole, caspofungin, and isavuconazole were effective antifungal agents against all Aspergillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Badiee
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, IBED, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ali Zarei Mahmoudabadi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Rasoul Mohammadi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Seyyed Amin Ayatollahi Mousavi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javad Najafzadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jafar Soltani
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Jamal Hashemi
- Medical Mycology Department, School of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kambiz Diba
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Abdolkarim Ghadimi-Moghadam
- Department of Pediatrics Infectious Disease, Emmam Sajjad Hospital, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Ali Reza Salimi-Khorashad
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Tahereh Shokohi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Invasive Fungi Research Centre (IFRC), Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Maneli Amin Shahidi
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ghasemi
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hadis Jafarian
- Clinical Microbiology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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15
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Abastabar M, Zaedi A, Shabanzadeh S, Nosratabadi M, Moazeni M, Aghili SR, Haghani I, Khojasteh S, Javidnia J, Nargesi S, Shokohi T, Hedayati MT, Meis JF, Badali H. In vitro activity of 23 antifungal drugs against 54 clinical and environmental Aspergillus oryzae isolates. Mycoses 2022; 65:981-988. [PMID: 35689417 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of invasive aspergillosis caused by cryptic species remains a challenge due to the lack of randomised clinical trials and investigation of the efficacy and safety of different therapeutic strategies. We aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of 23 conventional and new antifungal drugs against 54 clinical and environmental Aspergillus oryzae isolates by using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standard M38-A3. The lowest geometric mean MIC values were found for luliconazole and lanoconazole (0.001 μg/ml), followed by anidulafungin (0.104 μg/ml), posaconazole (0.15 μg/ml), itraconazole (0.37 μg/ml), efinaconazole (0.5 μg/ml), voriconazole (0.51 μg/ml), tavaborole (0.72 μg/ml), and amphotericin B (0.79 μg/ml). In contrast, ketoconazole, terbinafine, econazole, tioconazole, ravuconazole, miconazole, nystatin, clotrimazole, griseofulvin, sertaconazole, natamycin, tolnaftate, and fluconazole had no or low activity. Further studies are required to determine how well this in vitro activity translates into in vivo efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Abastabar
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Arezoo Zaedi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shafigheh Shabanzadeh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohsen Nosratabadi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Maryam Moazeni
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Seyed Reza Aghili
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Iman Haghani
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Khojasteh
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Javad Javidnia
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sanaz Nargesi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Tahereh Shokohi
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohammad Taghi Hedayati
- Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Invasive Fungi Research Center, Communicable Diseases Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Jacques F Meis
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,ECMM Excellence Center for Medical Mycology, Centre of Expertise in Mycology Radboudumc/Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hamid Badali
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
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16
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Rozaliyani A, Abdullah A, Setianingrum F, Sjamsuridzal W, Wahyuningsih R, Bowolaksono A, Fatril AE, Adawiyah R, Tugiran M, Syam R, Wibowo H, Kosmidis C, Denning DW. Unravelling the Molecular Identification and Antifungal Susceptibility Profiles of Aspergillus spp. Isolated from Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis Patients in Jakarta, Indonesia: The Emergence of Cryptic Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8040411. [PMID: 35448642 PMCID: PMC9024953 DOI: 10.3390/jof8040411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptic species of Aspergillus have rapidly increased in the last few decades. Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a debilitating fungal infection frequently affecting patients with previous TB. The identification and antifungal susceptibility profiles of different species of Aspergillus are important to support the management of CPA. The aim of this study was to describe the molecular and susceptibility profiles of Aspergillus isolated from CPA patients. The species identity of isolates was determined by combined DNA analyses of internal transcribed space (ITS), partial β-tubulin genes, and part of the calmodulin gene. We revealed a high (27%) prevalence of cryptic species among previous tuberculosis patients with persistent symptoms. Twenty-nine (49%) patients met the criteria for diagnosis of CPA with 24% containing Aspergillus cryptic species. This is the first report of five cryptic Aspergillus species from clinical isolates in Indonesia: A. aculea tus, A. neoniger, A. brunneoviolacues, A. welwitschiae, and A. tubingensis. Significantly, there was decreased sensitivity against itraconazole in the CPA group (66% susceptible to itraconazole) compared to the non-CPA group (90% susceptible to itraconazole) (p = 0.003). The species-level characterisation of Aspergillus and its antifungal susceptibility tests demands greater attention to better the management of CPA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Rozaliyani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Indonesia Pulmonary Mycoses Centre, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +62-21-3102135; Fax: +62-21-3983201
| | - Asriyani Abdullah
- Magister Program of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia;
| | - Findra Setianingrum
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Indonesia Pulmonary Mycoses Centre, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Wellyzar Sjamsuridzal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia; (W.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Retno Wahyuningsih
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Kristen, Jakarta 13530, Indonesia
| | - Anom Bowolaksono
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia; (W.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Ayu Eka Fatril
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
| | - Robiatul Adawiyah
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Indonesia Pulmonary Mycoses Centre, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Mulyati Tugiran
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Indonesia Pulmonary Mycoses Centre, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Ridhawati Syam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Indonesia Pulmonary Mycoses Centre, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
| | - Heri Wibowo
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia; (F.S.); (R.W.); (A.E.F.); (R.A.); (M.T.); (R.S.); (H.W.)
- Magister Program of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia;
| | - Chris Kosmidis
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (C.K.); (D.W.D.)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
| | - David W. Denning
- Manchester Fungal Infection Group, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK; (C.K.); (D.W.D.)
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M23 9LT, UK
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17
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Aspergillus terreus and the Interplay with Amphotericin B: from Resistance to Tolerance? Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2022; 66:e0227421. [PMID: 35254091 PMCID: PMC9017323 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02274-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus terreus is an opportunistic causative agent of invasive aspergillosis and, in most cases, it is refractory to amphotericin B (AMB) therapy. Notably, AMB-susceptible Aspergillus terreus sensu stricto (s.s.) representatives exist which are also associated with poor clinical outcomes. Such findings may be attributable to drug tolerance, which is not detectable by antifungal susceptibility testing. Here, we tested in vitro antifungal susceptibility (AFST) and the fungicidal activity of AMB against 100 clinical isolates of A. terreus species complex in RPMI 1640 and antibiotic medium 3 (AM3). MICs ranged from 0.5 to 16 μg/mL for RPMI 1640 and from 1 to >16 mg/L for AM3. AMB showed medium-dependent activity, with fungicidal effects only in antibiotic medium 3, not in RPMI 1640. Furthermore, the presence of AMB-tolerant phenotypes of A. terreus has been examined by assessing the minimum duration for killing 99% of the population (MDK99) and evaluating the data obtained in a Galleria mellonella infection model. A time-kill curve analysis revealed that A. terreus with AMB MICs of ≤1 mg/L (susceptible range) displayed AMB-tolerant phenotypes, exhibiting MDK99s at 18 and 36 h, respectively. Survival rates of infected G. mellonella highlighted that AMB was effective against susceptible A. terreus isolates, but not against tolerant or resistant isolates. Our analysis reveals that A. terreus isolates which are defined as susceptible based on MIC may comprise tolerant phenotypes, which may, in turn, explain the worse outcome of AMB therapy for phenotypically susceptible isolates.
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OUP accepted manuscript. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:1645-1654. [DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Rogers TR, Verweij PE, Castanheira M, Dannaoui E, White PL, Arendrup MC. OUP accepted manuscript. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:2053-2073. [PMID: 35703391 PMCID: PMC9333407 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence and changing epidemiology of invasive fungal infections continue to present many challenges to their effective management. The repertoire of antifungal drugs available for treatment is still limited although there are new antifungals on the horizon. Successful treatment of invasive mycoses is dependent on a mix of pathogen-, host- and antifungal drug-related factors. Laboratories need to be adept at detection of fungal pathogens in clinical samples in order to effectively guide treatment by identifying isolates with acquired drug resistance. While there are international guidelines on how to conduct in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing, these are not performed as widely as for bacterial pathogens. Furthermore, fungi generally are recovered in cultures more slowly than bacteria, and often cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Therefore, non-culture-based methods, including molecular tests, to detect fungi in clinical specimens are increasingly important in patient management and are becoming more reliable as technology improves. Molecular methods can also be used for detection of target gene mutations or other mechanisms that predict antifungal drug resistance. This review addresses acquired antifungal drug resistance in the principal human fungal pathogens and describes known resistance mechanisms and what in-house and commercial tools are available for their detection. It is emphasized that this approach should be complementary to culture-based susceptibility testing, given the range of mutations, resistance mechanisms and target genes that may be present in clinical isolates, but may not be included in current molecular assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Echinocandins and their Activity against Aspergillus terreus Species Complex: A Novel Agar Screening Method. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2021; 66:e0190921. [PMID: 34902268 PMCID: PMC8846437 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01909-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated the newly proposed agar screening method for echinocandin susceptibility testing of 144 Aspergillus section Terrei isolates compared with the Etest method. Both methods defined the isolates to be wild-type strains for anidulafungin and micafungin, with Etest minimal effective concentrations (MECs) of ≤0.004 mg/L. For caspofungin, the novel agar screening method identified 37 isolates to be caspofungin non-wild type based on their fluffy colony appearance on caspofungin agar. Etest MECs for caspofungin for these isolates were scattered widely from 0.002 to 0.750 mg/L, showing only partial accordance between the two methods.
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Arastehfar A, Carvalho A, Houbraken J, Lombardi L, Garcia-Rubio R, Jenks J, Rivero-Menendez O, Aljohani R, Jacobsen I, Berman J, Osherov N, Hedayati M, Ilkit M, Armstrong-James D, Gabaldón T, Meletiadis J, Kostrzewa M, Pan W, Lass-Flörl C, Perlin D, Hoenigl M. Aspergillus fumigatus and aspergillosis: From basics to clinics. Stud Mycol 2021; 100:100115. [PMID: 34035866 PMCID: PMC8131930 DOI: 10.1016/j.simyco.2021.100115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The airborne fungus Aspergillus fumigatus poses a serious health threat to humans by causing numerous invasive infections and a notable mortality in humans, especially in immunocompromised patients. Mould-active azoles are the frontline therapeutics employed to treat aspergillosis. The global emergence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates in clinic and environment, however, notoriously limits the therapeutic options of mould-active antifungals and potentially can be attributed to a mortality rate reaching up to 100 %. Although specific mutations in CYP 51A are the main cause of azole resistance, there is a new wave of azole-resistant isolates with wild-type CYP 51A genotype challenging the efficacy of the current diagnostic tools. Therefore, applications of whole-genome sequencing are increasingly gaining popularity to overcome such challenges. Prominent echinocandin tolerance, as well as liver and kidney toxicity posed by amphotericin B, necessitate a continuous quest for novel antifungal drugs to combat emerging azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. Animal models and the tools used for genetic engineering require further refinement to facilitate a better understanding about the resistance mechanisms, virulence, and immune reactions orchestrated against A. fumigatus. This review paper comprehensively discusses the current clinical challenges caused by A. fumigatus and provides insights on how to address them.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - A. Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães/Braga, Portugal
| | - J. Houbraken
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - L. Lombardi
- UCD Conway Institute and School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - R. Garcia-Rubio
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - J.D. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - O. Rivero-Menendez
- Medical Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Center for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, 28222, Spain
| | - R. Aljohani
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - I.D. Jacobsen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenicity Mechanisms, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
- Institute for Microbiology, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - J. Berman
- Research Group Microbial Immunology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology—Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - N. Osherov
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine Ramat-Aviv, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - M.T. Hedayati
- Invasive Fungi Research Center/Department of Medical Mycology, School of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - M. Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey
| | | | - T. Gabaldón
- Life Sciences Programme, Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Jordi Girona, Barcelona, 08034, Spain
- Mechanisms of Disease Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J. Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - W. Pan
- Medical Mycology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - C. Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - D.S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
| | - M. Hoenigl
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
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Vasconcellos I, Silveira J, Severo C, Allende O, Pasqualotto A. A search for cryptic Aspergillus species in South Brazil. Rev Iberoam Micol 2021; 38:154. [PMID: 34247935 DOI: 10.1016/j.riam.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Izadora Vasconcellos
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Juliano Silveira
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Cecília Severo
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Odelta Allende
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Pasqualotto
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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In vitro activity of posaconazole and comparators versus opportunistic filamentous fungal pathogens globally collected during 8 years. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 101:115473. [PMID: 34352433 DOI: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2021.115473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiology of invasive filamentous fungal diseases requires monitoring due to changes in susceptibility patterns of new and established antifungal agents that may affect clinical practices. We evaluated the activity of posaconazole against 2,157 invasive moulds collected worldwide from 2010-2017. The isolates included 1,775 Aspergillus spp. and 382 non-Aspergillus moulds, including 81 Fusarium spp., 62 Mucorales group, and 57 Scedosporium spp. Isolates were tested using the CLSI reference broth microdilution method. Posaconazole showed similar activity to itraconazole and voriconazole against A. fumigatus. Applying published ECV, 98.0% of the A. fumigatus and 97.7% to 100.0% of other common Aspergillus species were wildtype to posaconazole. Categorical agreement between posaconazole and the other azoles tested against A. fumigatus was 98.7%. Notably, most of the Aspergillus spp. isolates recovered from this large collection were wildtype to echinocandins and all azoles. Posaconazole non-wildtype rates of A. fumigatus varied across the different geographic regions, with 2.1% in Europe, 2.2% in North America, 1.8% in Latin America, and 0.7% in the Asia-Pacific region. The frequency of azole non-wildtype A. fumigatus isolates from Europe increased steadily from 2010-2017 for all 3 triazoles (0.0%-5.0%). The azole non-wildtype A. fumigatus rates from the other geographic areas were stable over time. Fusarium and/or Scedosporium spp. isolates were highly resistant to azoles and echinocandins. Posaconazole and amphotericin B were the most active agents against the Mucorales. Posaconazole was very active against most species of Aspergillus and was comparable to itraconazole and voriconazole against the less common moulds. Posaconazole should provide a useful addition to the anti-mould grouping of antifungal agents.
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Abstract
Infections due to Aspergillus species are an acute threat to human health; members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati are the most frequently occurring agents, but depending on the local epidemiology, representatives of section Terrei or section Flavi are the second or third most important. Aspergillus terreus species complex is of great interest, as it is usually amphotericin B resistant and displays notable differences in immune interactions in comparison to Aspergillus fumigatus. The latest epidemiological surveys show an increased incidence of A. terreus as well as an expanding clinical spectrum (chronic infections) and new groups of at-risk patients being affected. Hallmarks of these non-Aspergillus fumigatus invasive mold infections are high potential for tissue invasion, dissemination, and possible morbidity due to mycotoxin production. We seek to review the microbiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis of A. terreus species complex, address clinical characteristics, and highlight the underlying mechanisms of amphotericin B resistance. Selected topics will contrast key elements of A. terreus with A. fumigatus. We provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians dealing with fungal infections and researchers working on A. terreus pathogenesis, aiming to bridge the emerging translational knowledge and future therapeutic challenges on this opportunistic pathogen.
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Jørgensen KM, Guinea J, Meletiadis J, Hare RK, Arendrup MC. Revision of EUCAST breakpoints: consequences for susceptibility of contemporary Danish mould isolates to isavuconazole and comparators. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:2573-2581. [PMID: 32556315 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND EUCAST recently revised the definition of the 'I' category from 'intermediate' to 'susceptible, increased exposure'. Consequently, all current antifungal breakpoints have been reviewed and revised breakpoints (v 10.0) have been released. OBJECTIVES We investigated isavuconazole and comparator MICs (mg/L) against contemporary moulds and the consequences of the breakpoint revision for susceptibility classification. METHODS Six hundred and ninety-six Aspergillus and 46 other moulds were included. EUCAST E.Def 10.1 azole resistance screening was performed for Aspergillus fumigatus and E.Def 9.3.1 testing of non-susceptible A. fumigatus and other moulds. Most non-wildtype/resistant isolates underwent cyp51A sequencing. RESULTS Isavuconazole MIC50/MIC90s were ≤1/≤2 mg/L for Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus and Aspergillus nidulans versus 2/4 mg/L for Aspergillus niger and 2/16 mg/L for Aspergillus terreus. For the remaining moulds, MICs were highest for Fusarium (16 to >16 mg/L), lowest for dermatophytes (0.06-0.5 mg/L) and in between for Mucorales and others (1 to >16 mg/L). A very strong isavuconazole-voriconazole MIC correlation was found for A. fumigatus (Pearson r = 0.888) and itraconazole-posaconazole correlation for A. fumigatus (r = 0.905) and A. terreus (r = 0.848). For A. fumigatus, the revised breakpoints lowered isavuconazole resistance (22.6% to 7.7%, P < 0.0001) and increased voriconazole resistance (3.8% to 6.7%, P = 0.025), resulting in similar resistance rates across the four azoles (range: 6.7%-7.7%). For A. terreus, isavuconazole resistance remained unchanged (81.3%) and higher than itraconazole (43.8%, P = 0.004) and posaconazole (53.1%, P = 0.03) resistance. Azole cross-resistance was found in 24/24, 13/20 and 4/90 isolates, and Cyp51A alterations in 16/18, 1/7 and 2/4 sequenced isolates with isavuconazole MICs of >4, 4 and 2 mg/L, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Isavuconazole displays broad anti-mould activity. The revised breakpoints result in fewer misclassifications of wildtype isolates without compromising detection of resistant mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesus Guinea
- Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias-CIBERES (CB06/06/0058), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit for Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Siopi M, Rivero-Menendez O, Gkotsis G, Panara A, Thomaidis NS, Alastruey-Izquierdo A, Pournaras S, Meletiadis J. Nationwide surveillance of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus environmental isolates in Greece: detection of pan-azole resistance associated with the TR46/Y121F/T289A cyp51A mutation. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 75:3181-3188. [PMID: 32814940 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired azole resistance (AR) in Aspergillus fumigatus emphasizes the importance of the One Health multisectorial approach. The prevalence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in the environment of Greece is unknown. METHODS Between October 2016 and September 2017, a total of 716 soil samples were collected from 23 provinces and screened for AR using azole-containing agar plates. Recovered isolates were macro-/microscopically identified and colonies were counted. Azole susceptibility testing of A. fumigatus species complex (SC) isolates was performed (EUCAST E.DEF9.3.1). Azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates were subjected to confirmatory molecular identification and sequencing of the cyp51A gene. RESULTS No yeasts were recovered, while multiple moulds grew on 695 (97%) samples. Overall, zygomycetes (most non-Mucor genera) grew on 432 (60%) samples, while Aspergillus spp. grew on 500 (70%) [410 (57%) Aspergillus niger SC; 120 (17%) Aspergillus terreus SC; 101 (14%) A. fumigatus SC; 34 (5%) Aspergillus flavus SC]. The mean ± SD soil load of Aspergillus spp. was 2.23 ± 0.41 log10 cfu/g (no differences among species). No azole-resistant non-A. fumigatus spp. isolate was detected. Itraconazole, voriconazole, isavuconazole and posaconazole MIC50/MIC90 (MIC range) of A. fumigatus SC strains were 0.25/0.5 (0.25 to >8), 0.5/1 (0.25 to >8), 1/1 (0.125 to >8) and 0.06/0.125 (0.06-1) mg/L, respectively. Overall, 1/500 (0.2%) of Aspergillus isolates, and 1/101 (1%) of A. fumigatus SC isolates, was pan-azole-resistant (itraconazole, voriconazole, isavuconazole and posaconazole MIC >8, >8, >8 and 1 mg/L, respectively). The resistant isolate was recovered from organically grown raisin grapes treated with homemade compost and it was an A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolate harbouring the TR46/Y121F/T289A mutation. The soil's load was higher compared with azole-susceptible strains (3.74 versus 2.09 log10 cfu/g). CONCLUSIONS This is the first known report of environmental pan-azole-resistant A. fumigatus in Greece. Since data on Greek clinical isolates are lacking, this finding must alarm the systematic local surveillance of AR in medical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Siopi
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Olga Rivero-Menendez
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Georgios Gkotsis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anthi Panara
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos S Thomaidis
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo
- Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Spyros Pournaras
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Joseph Meletiadis
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Attikon University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Molecular Diversity of Aspergilli in Two Iranian Hospitals. Mycopathologia 2021; 186:519-533. [PMID: 34052941 DOI: 10.1007/s11046-021-00563-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Aspergillus species are main causative agents of various infections such as invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients and these infections have high mortality rates. In this study, we provide insight in the species causing aspergillosis in Iran based on morphology and sequence data. Clinical (n = 117) and environmental isolates (n = 54) collected during 2010-2016 from University hospitals in Mashhad and Tehran (Iran) were identified both morphologically and molecularly using partial calmodulin (CaM) gene sequences. Clinical cases were identified based on EORTC/MSG criteria. Aspergillus flavus (n = 96, 55%) was the most prevalent species among the clinical and environmental isolates while A. fumigatus (n = 13, 7.5%) ranked fourth after A. tubingensis (n = 23, 13%) and A. welwitchiae (n = 18, 10%). Species such as A. tubingensis, A. welwitschiae, A. fumigatus, A. sydowii, A. neoniger and A. terreus were present in both clinical and environmental samples indicating the possible environmental source of infections. Interestingly, A. niger was isolated only once. Furthermore, 13 other rare and cryptic Aspergillus species were detected. Pulmonary and respiratory disorders (n = 33), followed by transplantation (n = 23), invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (n = 14), and haematological malignancies (n = 12) were major predisposing factors. According to EORTC/MSG criteria, there were 43 probable cases identified followed by 36 cases for each of proven and possible ones. Correct molecular identification will be useful for further epidemiological studies.
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Emergence of Triazole Resistance in Aspergillus spp. in Latin America. CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2021; 15:93-103. [PMID: 34025901 PMCID: PMC8132279 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-021-00418-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is becoming a public health problem worldwide. However, data about this subject is lacking in Latin American countries. This review focuses in the epidemiology and molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. emphasizing in Latin America. Data on Aspergillus fumigatus stands out because it is the most prevalent Aspergillus spp. pathogen. Recent Findings Azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. emergence was linked with intensive use of these antifungals both in the clinical setting and in the environment (as pesticides). Reports on azole-resistant A. fumigatus strains are being constantly published in different countries. Molecular mechanisms of resistance mainly involve substitution in the azole target (CYP51A) and/or overexpression of this gene. However, several other non-CYP51A-related mechanisms were described. Moreover, intrinsically resistant cryptic Aspergillus species are starting to be reported as human pathogens. Summary After a comprehensive literature review, it is clear that azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. is emerging in Latin America and perhaps it is underestimated. All the main molecular mechanisms of azole resistance were described in patients and/or environmental samples. Moreover, one of the molecular mechanisms was described only in South America. Cryptic intrinsic azole-resistant species are also described.
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Davood A, Rahimi A, Iman M, Azerang P, Sardari S, Mahboubi A. Design and Synthesis of New Antifungals Based on N-Un-substituted Azoles as 14α Demethylase Inhibitor. Curr Comput Aided Drug Des 2021; 17:235-243. [PMID: 32065093 DOI: 10.2174/1573409916666200217090855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Azole antifungal agents, which are widely used as antifungal antibiotics, inhibit cytochrome P450 sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51). Nearly all azole antifungal agents are Nsubstituted azoles. In addition, an azolylphenalkyl pharmacophore is uniquely shared by all azole antifungals. Due to the importance of nitrogen atom of azoles (N-3 of imidazole and N-4 of triazole) in coordination with heme in the binding site of the enzyme, here a group of N- un-substituted azoles in which both nitrogen are un-substituted was reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS Designed compounds were synthesized by the reaction of imidazole-4- carboxaldehyde with appropriate arylamines and subsequently reduced to desired amine derivatives. Antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cervisiae was done using a broth micro-dilution assay. Docking studies were done using AutoDock. RESULTS Antimicrobial evaluation revealed that some of these compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activities against tested pathogenic fungi, wherein compounds 3, 7, and 8 were potent. Docking studies propose that all of the prepared azoles interacted with 14α-DM, wherein azoleheme coordination played the main role in drug-receptor interaction. CONCLUSION Our results offer some useful references for molecular design performance or modification of this series of compounds as a lead compound to discover new and potent antimicrobial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asghar Davood
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aneseh Rahimi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Iman
- Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Azerang
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soroush Sardari
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Medical Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Mahboubi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Azole Resistance in Clinical and Environmental Aspergillus Isolates from the French West Indies (Martinique). J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7050355. [PMID: 33946598 PMCID: PMC8147181 DOI: 10.3390/jof7050355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of azole resistant Aspergillus spp., especially Aspergillus fumigatus, has been described in several countries around the world with varying prevalence depending on the country. To our knowledge, azole resistance in Aspergillus spp. has not been reported in the West Indies yet. In this study, we investigated the antifungal susceptibility of clinical and environmental isolates of Aspergillus spp. from Martinique, and the potential resistance mechanisms associated with mutations in cyp51A gene. Overall, 208 Aspergillus isolates were recovered from clinical samples (n = 45) and environmental soil samples (n = 163). They were screened for resistance to azole drugs using selective culture media. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) towards voriconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole, as shown by the resistant isolates, were determined using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) microdilution broth method. Eight isolates (A. fumigatus, n = 6 and A. terreus, n = 2) had high MIC for at least one azole drug. The sequencing of cyp51A gene revealed the mutations G54R and TR34/L98H in two A. fumigatus clinical isolates. Our study showed for the first time the presence of azole resistance in A. fumigatus and A. terreus isolates in the French West Indies.
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Identification and in vitro antifungal susceptibility of causative agents of onychomycosis due to Aspergillus species in Mashhad, Iran. Sci Rep 2021; 11:6808. [PMID: 33762586 PMCID: PMC7991633 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-86038-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species are emerging causative agents of non-dermatophyte mold onychomycosis. In this study, 48 Aspergillus isolates were obtained from patients with onychomycosis in Mashhad, Iran, during 2015–2018. The aim is to identify the Aspergillus isolates to the species level by using partial calmodulin and beta-tubulin gene sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS, and to evaluate their in vitro susceptibility to ten antifungal drugs: terbinafine, itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole, ravuconazole, isavuconazole, caspofungin, micafungin, anidulafungin and amphotericin B according to CLSI M38-A3. Our results indicate that A.flavus (n = 38, 79%) is the most common Aspergillus species causing onychomycosis in Mashhad, Iran. Other detected species were A. terreus (n = 3), A. tubingensis (n = 2), A. niger (n = 1), A. welwitschiae (n = 1), A. minisclerotigenes (n = 1), A. citrinoterreus (n = 1) and A. ochraceus (n = 1). Aspergillus flavus, A. terreus and A. niger isolates were correctly identified at the species level by MALDI-TOF MS, while all cryptic species were misidentified. In conclusion, A. flavus is the predominant Aspergillus species causing onychomycosis due to Aspergillus spp. in Mashhad, Iran. MALDI-TOF MS holds promise as a fast and accurate identification tool, particularly for common Aspergillus species. It is important that the current database of reference spectra, representing different Aspergillus species is expanded to increase the precision of the species-level identification. Terbinafine, posaconazole and echinocandins were in vitro most active against the studies Aspergillus isolates and terbinafine could be the first choice for treatment of onychomycosis due to Aspergillus.
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In Vitro Activity of Ibrexafungerp against a Collection of Clinical Isolates of Aspergillus, Including Cryptic Species and Cyp51A Mutants, Using EUCAST and CLSI Methodologies. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030232. [PMID: 33804780 PMCID: PMC8003840 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ibrexafungerp is a new orally-available 1,3-β-D-glucan synthesis inhibitor in clinical development. Its in vitro activity and that of amphotericin B, voriconazole, and micafungin were evaluated against a collection of 168 clinical isolates of Aspergillus spp., including azole-susceptible and azole-resistant (Cyp51A mutants) Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto (s.s.) and cryptic species of Aspergillus belonging to six species complexes showing different patterns of antifungal resistance, using EUCAST and CLSI antifungal susceptibility testing reference methods. Ibrexafungerp displayed low geometric means of minimal effective concentrations (MECs) against A. fumigatus s.s. strains, both azole susceptible (0.040 mg/L by EUCAST and CLSI versus 1.231 mg/L and 0.660 mg/L for voriconazole, respectively) and azole resistant (0.092 mg/L and 0.056 mg/L, EUCAST and CLSI, while those for voriconazole were 2.144 mg/L and 2.000 mg/L). Ibrexafungerp was active against most of the cryptic species of Aspergillus tested, yielding MEC values only comparable to those of micafungin. Nevertheless, this new compound exhibited a moderate activity against A. ustus complex species, MECs ≥ 0.5 mg/L against Aspergillus insuetus and Aspergillus keveii strains, and was inactive against the Aspergillus alliaceus isolates tested (MEC90s ≥ 16 mg/L). All in all, ibrexafungerp shows encouraging in vitro results against cryptic species of Aspergillus and azole-susceptible and azole resistant strains of A. fumigatus, some of which are difficult to treat using the available therapeutic options.
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The Environmental Spread of Aspergillus terreus in Tyrol, Austria. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030539. [PMID: 33808004 PMCID: PMC7998223 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal infections due to Aspergillus species have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. At the Medical University of Innsbruck, A. terreus and related species are the second most common causative agents of aspergillosis. In this one-year study we collected environmental samples to investigate (i) the environmental distribution, (ii) the ecological niche of A. terreus in Tyrol, (iii) the genetic relatedness of environmental and clinical isolates and the correlation between those two groups of isolates, and (iv) the antifungal susceptibility patterns. A. terreus was present in 5.4% of 3845 environmental samples, with a significantly higher frequency during winter (6.8%) than summer (3.9%). An increased A. terreus abundance in Tyrol’s Eastern part was detected which is in agreement with the proof of clinical cases. In total, 92% of environmental and 98% of clinical A. terreus isolates were amphotericin B resistant; 22.6% and 9.8% were resistant against posaconazole. Overall, 3.9% of clinical isolates were resistant against voriconazole. Short tandem repeat analysis identified three major genotypes persisting in Tyrol. Soil from agricultural cornfields seems to be an important source; the environmental frequency of A. terreus correlates with the high incidence of A. terreus infections in certain geographical areas.
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Sabino R, Gonçalves P, Martins Melo A, Simões D, Oliveira M, Francisco M, Viegas C, Carvalho D, Martins C, Ferreira T, Toscano C, Simões H, Veríssimo C. Trends on Aspergillus Epidemiology-Perspectives from a National Reference Laboratory Surveillance Program. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7010028. [PMID: 33418997 PMCID: PMC7825284 DOI: 10.3390/jof7010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Identification of Aspergillus to species level is important since sibling species may display variable susceptibilities to multiple antifungal drugs and also because correct identification contributes to improve the knowledge of epidemiological studies. Two retrospective laboratory studies were conducted on Aspergillus surveillance at the Portuguese National Mycology Reference Laboratory. The first, covering the period 2017–2018, aimed to study the molecular epidemiology of 256 Aspergillus isolates obtained from patients with respiratory, subcutaneous, or systemic infections and from environmental samples. The second, using our entire collection of clinical and environmental A. fumigatus isolates (N = 337), collected between 2012 and 2019, aimed to determine the frequency of azole-resistant A. fumigatus isolates. Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto was the most frequent species in both clinical and environmental samples. Overall, and considering all Aspergillus sections identified, a high frequency of cryptic species was detected, based on beta-tubulin or calmodulin sequencing (37% in clinical and 51% in environmental isolates). Regarding all Fumigati isolates recovered from 2012–2019, the frequency of cryptic species was 5.3% (18/337), with the identification of A. felis (complex), A. lentulus, A. udagawae, A. hiratsukae, and A. oerlinghauensis. To determine the frequency of azole resistance of A. fumigatus, isolates were screened for azole resistance using azole-agars, and 53 possible resistant isolates were tested by the CLSI microdilution reference method. Nine A. fumigatus sensu stricto and six Fumigati cryptic isolates showed high minimal inhibitory concentrations to itraconazole, voriconazole, and/or posaconazole. Real-time PCR to detect cyp51A mutations and sequencing of cyp51A gene and its promoter were performed. The overall frequency of resistance to azoles in A. fumigatus sensu stricto was 3.0%. With this retrospective analysis, we were able to detect one azole-resistant G54R mutant A. fumigatus environmental isolate, collected in 2015. The TR34/L98H mutation, linked to environmental transmission route of azole resistance, was the most frequently detected mutation (N = 4; 1.4%). Our findings underline the demand for correct identification and susceptibility testing of Aspergillus isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Sabino
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-217519247
| | - Paulo Gonçalves
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
- European Programme for Public Health Microbiology Training (EUPHEM), European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 16973 Solna, Sweden
| | - Aryse Martins Melo
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Avenida Eliseu Maciel, Pelotas 96010-610, Brazil
| | - Daniela Simões
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
| | - Mariana Oliveira
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
| | - Mariana Francisco
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
| | - Carla Viegas
- H&TRC—Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL—Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1990-096 Lisbon, Portugal;
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dinah Carvalho
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Carlos Martins
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte EPE, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal; (D.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Teresa Ferreira
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Central, 1050-099 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Cristina Toscano
- Microbiology Laboratory, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental, Hospital Egas Moniz, 1349-019 Lisbon, Portugal;
| | - Helena Simões
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
| | - Cristina Veríssimo
- Infectious Diseases Department, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.G.); (A.M.M.); (D.S.); (M.O.); (M.F.); (H.S.); (C.V.)
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Yoshii N, Yamada K, Niki M, Imoto W, Yamairi K, Shibata W, Namikawa H, Sakatoku K, Sato K, Nakai T, Yamada K, Watanabe T, Asai K, Kakeya H, Kawaguchi T. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis caused by Aspergillus terreus diagnosed using virtual bronchoscopic navigation and endobronchial ultrasonography with guide sheath and successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B. Infection 2021; 49:1049-1054. [PMID: 33389698 DOI: 10.1007/s15010-020-01545-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis is a significant cause of mortality in patients with hematological malignancy. Early diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) by bronchoscopy is recommended but is often difficult to perform because of small lesion size and bleeding risk due to thrombocytopenia. A 71-year-old woman had received initial induction therapy for acute myeloid leukemia. On day 22 of chemotherapy, she had a high fever, and the chest computed tomography scan revealed a 20-mm-sized nodule with a halo sign. Bronchoscopy assisted by virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) and endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) was performed, and Aspergillus terreus was identified from the culture of obtained specimens. A. terreus is often resistant to amphotericin B; thus, voriconazole is usually recommended for treatment. However, the obtained A. terreus isolate showed minimal inhibitory concentrations of 2 µg/mL for voriconazole and 0.5 µg/mL for amphotericin B. Therefore, the patient was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B. For patients suspected of having IPA, early diagnosis and drug susceptibility testing are very important. This case suggests that bronchoscopy using VBN and EBUS-GS is helpful for accurate diagnosis and successful treatment even if the lesion is small and the patient has a bleeding risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoko Yoshii
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan. .,Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.
| | - Koichi Yamada
- Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka City University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Niki
- Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka City University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Waki Imoto
- Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazushi Yamairi
- Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Wataru Shibata
- Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka City University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Namikawa
- Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Medical Education and General Practice, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sakatoku
- Department of Hematology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kanako Sato
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Nakai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yamada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Watanabe
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuhisa Asai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kakeya
- Department of Infection Control Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Infection Control and Prevention, Osaka City University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kawaguchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, Abeno-ku, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
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Kobayashi T, Lawler E, Samra H, Ford B, Sekar P. Prosthetic Finger Joint Infection Due to Aspergillus terreus. Open Forum Infect Dis 2020; 8:ofaa614. [PMID: 33511236 PMCID: PMC7813175 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Fungal periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are rare but associated with significant mortality. We report a case of a finger PJI secondary to Aspergillus terreus in an immunocompetent patient with soil exposure, successfully treated with surgical debridement and voriconazole. Identification of A terreus is important because of intrinsic amphotericin B resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takaaki Kobayashi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Ericka Lawler
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Hasan Samra
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Bradley Ford
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Poorani Sekar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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Arastehfar A, Gabaldón T, Garcia-Rubio R, Jenks JD, Hoenigl M, Salzer HJF, Ilkit M, Lass-Flörl C, Perlin DS. Drug-Resistant Fungi: An Emerging Challenge Threatening Our Limited Antifungal Armamentarium. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 9:antibiotics9120877. [PMID: 33302565 PMCID: PMC7764418 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics9120877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The high clinical mortality and economic burden posed by invasive fungal infections (IFIs), along with significant agricultural crop loss caused by various fungal species, has resulted in the widespread use of antifungal agents. Selective drug pressure, fungal attributes, and host- and drug-related factors have counteracted the efficacy of the limited systemic antifungal drugs and changed the epidemiological landscape of IFIs. Species belonging to Candida, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Pneumocystis are among the fungal pathogens showing notable rates of antifungal resistance. Drug-resistant fungi from the environment are increasingly identified in clinical settings. Furthermore, we have a limited understanding of drug class-specific resistance mechanisms in emerging Candida species. The establishment of antifungal stewardship programs in both clinical and agricultural fields and the inclusion of species identification, antifungal susceptibility testing, and therapeutic drug monitoring practices in the clinic can minimize the emergence of drug-resistant fungi. New antifungal drugs featuring promising therapeutic profiles have great promise to treat drug-resistant fungi in the clinical setting. Mitigating antifungal tolerance, a prelude to the emergence of resistance, also requires the development of effective and fungal-specific adjuvants to be used in combination with systemic antifungals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA; (A.A.); (R.G.-R.)
| | - Toni Gabaldón
- Life Sciences Programme, Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Jordi Girona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
- Mechanisms of Disease Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), 08024 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies. Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocio Garcia-Rubio
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA; (A.A.); (R.G.-R.)
| | - Jeffrey D. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92103, USA;
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Clinical and Translational Fungal-Working Group, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA;
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
| | | | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, University of Çukurova, 01330 Adana, Turkey
- Correspondence: (M.I.); (D.S.P.); Tel.: +90-532-286-0099 (M.I.); +1-201-880-3100 (D.S.P.)
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - David S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA; (A.A.); (R.G.-R.)
- Correspondence: (M.I.); (D.S.P.); Tel.: +90-532-286-0099 (M.I.); +1-201-880-3100 (D.S.P.)
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38
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Vahedi-Shahandashti R, Lass-Flörl C. Novel Antifungal Agents and Their Activity against Aspergillus Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E213. [PMID: 33050302 PMCID: PMC7711508 DOI: 10.3390/jof6040213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a need for new antifungal agents, mainly due to increased incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI), high frequency of associated morbidity and mortality and limitations of the current antifungal agents (e.g., toxicity, drug-drug interactions, and resistance). The clinically available antifungals for IFI are restricted to four main classes: polyenes, flucytosine, triazoles, and echinocandins. Several antifungals are hampered by multiple resistance mechanisms being present in fungi. Consequently, novel antifungal agents with new targets and modified chemical structures are required to combat fungal infections. This review will describe novel antifungals, with a focus on the Aspergillus species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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39
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Tsang CC, Tang JYM, Ye H, Xing F, Lo SKF, Xiao C, Han L, Wu AKL, Ngan AHY, Law KC, To YN, Sze DTT, Chim OHY, Hui TWS, Leung CWH, Zhu T, Yao C, Tse BPH, Lau SKP, Woo PCY. Rare/cryptic Aspergillus species infections and importance of antifungal susceptibility testing. Mycoses 2020; 63:1283-1298. [PMID: 32918365 DOI: 10.1111/myc.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of patients infected with Aspergillus rose dramatically in recent years. However, studies on the clinical spectrum and antifungal susceptibilities of non-classical (non-fumigatus, non-flavus, non-niger and non-terreus) pathogenic Aspergillus species are very limited. OBJECTIVES We examined the clinical spectrum and antifungal susceptibilities of 34 non-duplicated, non-classical Aspergillus isolates collected from Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Shanghai. METHODS The Aspergillus isolates were identified by internal transcribed spacer, partial BenA and partial CaM sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Susceptibility testing against eight antifungals was performed following the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing's methodology. RESULTS The 34 Aspergillus isolates were identified as 14 different rare/cryptic species of four sections (Flavi [n = 8], Nidulantes [n = 8], Nigri [n = 17] and Restricti [n = 1]). Except for one patient whose clinical history could not be retrieved, 72.7% of the remaining patients had underlying conditions predisposing them to Aspergillus infections. The most common diseases were pulmonary infections (n = 15), followed by skin/nail infections (n = 6), chronic otitis externa and/or media (n = 5), wound infections (n = 2) and mastoiditis/radionecrosis (n = 1), while three were colonisations. Five patients succumbed due to the infections during the admission, and another two died 5 years later because of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed that they possessed different susceptibility profiles compared to the classical Aspergillus species. The majority of isolates characterised were sensitive or wild-type to amphotericin B. The minimum effective concentrations for all the three echinocandins were also low. CONCLUSION Susceptibility testing should be performed for infections due to these rare/cryptic Aspergillus species to guide proper patient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Ching Tsang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - James Y M Tang
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Haiyan Ye
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fanfan Xing
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Simon K F Lo
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chenlu Xiao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lizhong Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Alan K L Wu
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - Antonio H Y Ngan
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Kwok-Cheung Law
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
| | - Ying-Nam To
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
| | - Dorothy T T Sze
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Pathology, Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, Happy Valley, Hong Kong
| | - Oscar H Y Chim
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Teresa W S Hui
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Tuen Mun Hospital, Tuen Mun, Hong Kong
| | - Carl W H Leung
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Tianrenzheng Zhu
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Yao
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Transfusion Medicine, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Brian P H Tse
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong
| | - Susanna K P Lau
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Patrick C Y Woo
- Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.,Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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40
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Arastehfar A, Lass-Flörl C, Garcia-Rubio R, Daneshnia F, Ilkit M, Boekhout T, Gabaldon T, Perlin DS. The Quiet and Underappreciated Rise of Drug-Resistant Invasive Fungal Pathogens. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:E138. [PMID: 32824785 PMCID: PMC7557958 DOI: 10.3390/jof6030138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human fungal pathogens are attributable to a significant economic burden and mortality worldwide. Antifungal treatments, although limited in number, play a pivotal role in decreasing mortality and morbidities posed by invasive fungal infections (IFIs). However, the recent emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris and Candida glabrata and acquiring invasive infections due to azole-resistant C. parapsilosis, C. tropicalis, and Aspergillus spp. in azole-naïve patients pose a serious health threat considering the limited number of systemic antifungals available to treat IFIs. Although advancing for major fungal pathogens, the understanding of fungal attributes contributing to antifungal resistance is just emerging for several clinically important MDR fungal pathogens. Further complicating the matter are the distinct differences in antifungal resistance mechanisms among various fungal species in which one or more mechanisms may contribute to the resistance phenotype. In this review, we attempt to summarize the burden of antifungal resistance for selected non-albicansCandida and clinically important Aspergillus species together with their phylogenetic placement on the tree of life. Moreover, we highlight the different molecular mechanisms between antifungal tolerance and resistance, and comprehensively discuss the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance in a species level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Arastehfar
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA;
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
| | - Rocio Garcia-Rubio
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA;
| | - Farnaz Daneshnia
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.D.); (T.B.)
| | - Macit Ilkit
- Division of Mycology, University of Çukurova, 01330 Adana, Turkey;
| | - Teun Boekhout
- Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.D.); (T.B.)
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, 1012 WX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Toni Gabaldon
- Life Sciences Programme, Barcelona, Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Jordi Girona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
- Mechanisms of Disease Programme, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), 08024 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - David S. Perlin
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA;
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Risum M, Hare RK, Gertsen JB, Kristensen L, Johansen HK, Helweg-Larsen J, Abou-Chakra N, Pressler T, Skov M, Jensen-Fangel S, Arendrup MC. Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus Among Danish Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Increasing Prevalence and Dominance of TR 34/L98H. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1850. [PMID: 32903400 PMCID: PMC7438406 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Azole-resistant (azole-R) Aspergillus is an increasing challenge worldwide. Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk of Aspergillus colonization and disease due to a favorable lung environment for microorganisms. We performed a nationwide study in 2018 of azole-non-susceptible Aspergillus in CF patients and compared with data from two prior studies. All airway samples with mold isolates from patients monitored at the two CF centers in Denmark (RH, Jan-Sept and AUH, Jan-Jun) were included. Classical species identification (morphology and thermo-tolerance) was performed and MALDI-TOF/β-tubulin sequencing was performed if needed. Susceptibility was determined using EUCAST E.Def 10.1, and E.Def 9.3.2. cyp51A sequencing and STRAf genotyping were performed for azole-non-susceptible isolates and relevant sequential isolates. In total, 340 mold isolates from 159 CF patients were obtained. The most frequent species were Aspergillus fumigatus (266/340, 78.2%) and Aspergillus terreus (26/340, 7.6%). Azole-R A. fumigatus was cultured from 7.3% (10/137) of patients, including 9.5% (9/95) of patients at RH and 2.4% at AUH (1/42), respectively. In a 10-year perspective, azole-non-susceptibility increased numerically among patients at RH (10.5% in 2018 vs 4.5% in 2007-2009). Cyp51A resistance mechanisms were found in nine azole-R A. fumigatus from eight CF patients. Five were of environmental origin (TR34/L98H), three were human medicine-driven (two M220K and one M220R), and one was novel (TR34 3/L98H) and found in a patient who also harbored a TR34/L98H isolate. STRAf genotyping identified 27 unique genotypes among 45 isolates and ≥2 genotypes in 8 of 12 patients. This included one patient carrying two unique TR34/L98H isolates, a rare phenomenon. Genotyping of sequential TR34 3/L98H and TR34/L98H isolates from the same patient showed only minor differences in 1/9 markers. Finally, azole-R A. terreus was found in three patients including two with Cyp51A alterations (M217I and G51A, respectively). Azole-R A. fumigatus is increasing among CF patients in Denmark with the environmentally associated resistance TR34/L98H mechanism being dominant. Mixed infections (wildtype/non-wildtype and several non-wildtypes) and a case of potential additional tandem repeat acquisition in vivo were found. However, similar genotypes were identified from another patient (and outside this study), potentially suggesting a predominant TR34/L98H clone in DK. These findings suggest an increasing prevalence and complexity of azole resistance in A. fumigatus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malene Risum
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jan Berg Gertsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lise Kristensen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Helle Krogh Johansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Tacjana Pressler
- Cystic Fibrosis Center Copenhagen, Department of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marianne Skov
- Cystic Fibrosis Center Copenhagen, Department of Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Jensen-Fangel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Maiken Cavling Arendrup
- Unit of Mycology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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42
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Zhang L, Wang X, Houbraken J, Mei H, Liao W, Hasimu H, Liu W, Deng S. Molecular Identification and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility of Aspergillus Isolates Recovered from Otomycosis Patients in Western China. Mycopathologia 2020; 185:527-535. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-020-00448-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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43
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Schauwvlieghe AFAD, Bredius RGM, Verdijk RM, Smiers FJW, van der Beek MT, Goemans BF, Zwaan CM, Brüggemann RJ, Rijnders BJA. Management of cerebral azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus infection: A role for intraventricular liposomal-amphotericin B. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 22:354-357. [PMID: 32251868 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In the pre-azole era, central nervous system (CNS) infections with Aspergillus had a dismal outcome. Survival improved with voriconazole but CNS infections caused by azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus preclude its use. Intravenous liposomal-amphotericin B (L-AmB) is the preferred treatment option for azole-resistant CNS infections but has suboptimal brain concentrations. METHODS We describe three patients with biopsy-proven CNS aspergillosis where intraventricular L-AmB was added to systemic therapy. Two patients with azole-resistant aspergillosis and one patient with azole-susceptible CNS aspergillosis were treated with intraventricular L-AmB at a dose of 1mg weekly. RESULTS We describe three patients successfully treated with a combination of intravenous and intraventricular L-AmB. All three patients survived but one patient developed serious headaches, most likely not related to this treatment. CONCLUSIONS Intraventricular L-AmB may have a role in the treatment of therapy-refractory CNS aspergillosis when added to systemic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F A D Schauwvlieghe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
| | - R G M Bredius
- Department of Paediatric Immunology, Section of Infections, Haematology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - R M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - F J W Smiers
- Department of Paediatric Immunology, Section of Infections, Haematology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, Willem-Alexander Children's Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - M T van der Beek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - B F Goemans
- Department of Haemato-oncology, Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - C M Zwaan
- Department of Haemato-oncology, Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - R J Brüggemann
- Department of Pharmacy, Radboud Institute of Health Science, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands; Center of Expertise in Mycology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - B J A Rijnders
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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44
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Novak AR, Bradley ME, Kiser TH, Mueller SW. Azole-resistant Aspergillus and Echinocandin-resistant Candida - What are the treatment options? CURRENT FUNGAL INFECTION REPORTS 2020; 14:141-152. [PMID: 32699568 DOI: 10.1007/s12281-020-00379-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review This review summarizes current treatment options for echinocandin-resistant Candida spp. (ERC) and azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAF), emphasizing recent in vitro/in vivo data, clinical reports, and consensus statements. Recent Findings Advances in ERC and ARAF treatment are limited to specific antifungal combinations and dose optimization but remain reliant on amphotericin products. Although novel antifungals may provide breakthroughs in the treatment of resistant fungi, these agents are not yet available. Early identification and appropriate treatment remain a paramount, albeit elusive, task. Summary When either ERC or ARAF are suspected or proven, amphotericin products remain the cornerstone of initial therapy. For ERC, azoles are de-escalation options for susceptible isolates in stable patients to avoid amphotericin toxicities. Although combination echinocandin with high-dose salvage posaconazole or isavuconazole may be attempted in ARAF, it requires careful consideration following patient stabilization. Future research defining optimal therapies and early identification of ERC and ARAF is of extreme importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison R Novak
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Mary E Bradley
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Tyree H Kiser
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Scott W Mueller
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Mail Stop C238, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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45
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Lackner M, Obermair J, Naschberger V, Raschbichler LM, Kandelbauer C, Pallua J, Metzlaff J, Furxer S, Lass-Flörl C, Binder U. Cryptic species of Aspergillus section Terrei display essential physiological features to cause infection and are similar in their virulence potential in Galleria mellonella. Virulence 2020; 10:542-554. [PMID: 31169442 PMCID: PMC6592363 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2019.1614382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspergillus species account for the majority of invasive mold infections in immunocompromised patients. Most commonly, members of the Aspergillus section Fumigati are isolated from clinical material, followed by isolates belonging to section Terrei. The section Terrei contains 16 accepted species. Six species were found to be of clinical relevance and studied for differences in growth adaptability and virulence potential. Therefore, a set of 73 isolates (22 A. terreus s.s., 8 A. alabamensis, 27 A. citrinoterreus, 2 A. floccosus, 13 A. hortai, and 1 A. neoafricanus) was studied to determine differences in (a) germination kinetics, (b) temperature tolerance, (c) oxygen stress tolerance (1% O2), and (d) a combination of the latter two. Virulence potential of phialidic (PC) and accessory conidia (AC) was studied in G. mellonella larvae, using survival as read out. Further, the formation of AC was evaluated in larval tissue. All isolates were able to grow at elevated temperature and hypoxia, with highest growth and germination rates at 37°C. A. terreus s.s., A. citrinoterreus, and A. hortai exhibited highest growth rates. Virulence potential in larvae was inoculum and temperature dependent. All species except A. floccosus formed AC and germination kinetics of AC was variable. Significantly higher virulence potential of AC was found for one A. hortai isolate. AC could be detected in larval tissue 96 h post infection. Based on these findings, cryptic species of section Terrei are well adapted to the host environment and have similar potential to cause infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Lackner
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Judith Obermair
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Verena Naschberger
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | | | - Carmen Kandelbauer
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Johannes Pallua
- b Department of Pathology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Julia Metzlaff
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Sibylle Furxer
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- a Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology , Medical University Innsbruck , Austria
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Unterman A, Izhakian S, Geffen Y, Rosengarten D, Shtraichman O, Pertzov B, Vainshelboim B, Alon H, Raviv Y, Kramer MR. Routine comprehensive Aspergillus screening of bronchoalveolar lavage samples in lung transplant recipients. Clin Transplant 2020; 34:e13811. [DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2019] [Revised: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Avraham Unterman
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Shimon Izhakian
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Yuval Geffen
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Rambam Health Care Campus Haifa Israel
| | - Dror Rosengarten
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Osnat Shtraichman
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Barak Pertzov
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Baruch Vainshelboim
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Hagar Alon
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
| | - Yael Raviv
- Pulmonary Institute Soroka Medical Center and Ben‐Gurion University Beer‐Sheva Israel
| | - Mordechai R. Kramer
- Pulmonary Division Rabin Medical Center and Sackler Faculty of Medicine Tel Aviv University Petah Tikva Israel
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47
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Egger M, Jenks JD, Hoenigl M, Prattes J. Blood Aspergillus PCR: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010018. [PMID: 32012787 PMCID: PMC7151127 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Invasive Aspergillosis (IA) is one of the most common invasive fungal diseases and is accompanied by high morbidity and mortality. In order to maximize patient outcomes and survival, early and rapid diagnosis has been shown to be pivotal. Hence, diagnostic tools aiding and improving the diagnostic process are ambitiously searched for. In this context, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) may represent a potential candidate. Its additional value and benefits in diagnosis have been demonstrated and are scientifically established. Nevertheless, standardized and widespread usage is sparse because several factors influence diagnostic quality and need to be considered in order to optimize diagnostic performance and outcome. In the following review, the current role of PCR in the diagnosis of IA is explored, with special focus on the strengths and limitations of PCR in different settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Egger
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (M.H.)
| | - Jeffrey D. Jenks
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
- Clinical and Translational Fungal Research Group, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Martin Hoenigl
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (M.H.)
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
- Clinical and Translational Fungal Research Group, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA 92093, USA
| | - Juergen Prattes
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (M.E.); (M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-316-385-30046
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48
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Azole resistance mechanisms in Aspergillus: update and recent advances. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2020; 55:105807. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2019.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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49
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Abstract
Aspergilli produce conidia for reproduction or to survive hostile conditions, and they are highly effective in the distribution of conidia through the environment. In immunocompromised individuals, inhaled conidia can germinate inside the respiratory tract, which may result in invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. The management of invasive aspergillosis has become more complex, with new risk groups being identified and the emergence of antifungal resistance. Patient survival is threatened by these developments, stressing the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. As germination is crucial for infection, prevention of this process might be a feasible approach. A broader understanding of conidial germination is important to identify novel antigermination targets. In this review, we describe conidial resistance against various stresses, transition from dormant conidia to hyphal growth, the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in germination of the most common Aspergillus species, and promising antigermination targets. Germination of Aspergillus is characterized by three morphotypes: dormancy, isotropic growth, and polarized growth. Intra- and extracellular proteins play an important role in the protection against unfavorable environmental conditions. Isotropically expanding conidia remodel the cell wall, and biosynthetic machineries are needed for cellular growth. These biosynthetic machineries are also important during polarized growth, together with tip formation and the cell cycle machinery. Genes involved in isotropic and polarized growth could be effective antigermination targets. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies on specific Aspergillus morphotypes will improve our understanding of the germination process and allow discovery of novel antigermination targets and biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapy.
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50
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Thornton CR. Detection of the 'Big Five' mold killers of humans: Aspergillus, Fusarium, Lomentospora, Scedosporium and Mucormycetes. ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY 2019; 110:1-61. [PMID: 32386603 DOI: 10.1016/bs.aambs.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Fungi are an important but frequently overlooked cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. Life-threatening fungal infections mainly occur in immunocompromised patients, and are typically caused by environmental opportunists that take advantage of a weakened immune system. The filamentous fungus Aspergillus fumigatus is the most important and well-documented mold pathogen of humans, causing a number of complex respiratory diseases, including invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, an often fatal disease in patients with acute leukemia or in immunosuppressed bone marrow or solid organ transplant recipients. However, non-Aspergillus molds are increasingly reported as agents of disseminated diseases, with Fusarium, Scedosporium, Lomentospora and mucormycete species now firmly established as pathogens of immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals. Despite well-documented risk factors for invasive fungal diseases, and increased awareness of the risk factors for life-threatening infections, the number of deaths attributable to molds is likely to be severely underestimated driven, to a large extent, by the lack of readily accessible, cheap, and accurate tests that allow detection and differentiation of infecting species. Early diagnosis is critical to patient survival but, unlike Aspergillus diseases, where a number of CE-marked or FDA-approved biomarker tests are now available for clinical diagnosis, similar tests for fusariosis, scedosporiosis and mucormycosis remain experimental, with detection reliant on insensitive and slow culture of pathogens from invasive bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, tissue biopsy, or from blood. This review examines the ecology, epidemiology, and contemporary methods of detection of these mold pathogens, and the obstacles to diagnostic test development and translation of novel biomarkers to the clinical setting.
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