Multi-azole resistance in aspergillus: only a northern European problem?

Azole resistance in Aspergillus has emerged since 2007, especially in northern Europe. Patients with untreatable infection are becoming more frequent. The link between azole fungicides in agriculture is compelling, but not proven. Environmental isolates which are resistant tend to have one marker mutation, whereas isolates arising during therapy have many mechanisms described. Susceptibility testing should be routine for clinical isolates of Aspergillus if treatment is given. Molecular detection of resistance mutations is now possible from polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-positive, culture-negative specimens. © Touch Briefings 2011.