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Publication

Triazole-resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus: evolving epidemiology and influence on disease progression.

Book - Dissertation

Aspergilli are ubiquitous fungi found in the environment and cause a whole spectrum of human diseases including invasive life threatening infections in immunocompromised hosts, like cancer or transplant patients. Triazole antifungal drugs are currently the cornerstones of prophylaxis and treatment of Aspergillus-related diseases but global emergence of triazole resistance is a concern. Exposure of Aspergillus fumigatus to azole fungicides in the environment is believed to be an important route of resistance selection. The aims of this project are: 1.- To gain a better insight in the evolving epidemiology of azole resistant fumigatus and the resistance mechanisms involved, through surveillance and molecular analysis of triazole resistant A. fumigatus isolates retrieved within the context of an international network (Aspergillus Resistance Surveillance working group from the International Society of Human and Animal Mycology, ISHAM, coordinators Prof dr Paul E. Verweij, the Netherlands; Prof dr Katrien Lagrou, Belgium; Prof dr A. Chowdhary, India; and Dr SR Lockhart, USA). 25 centers have expressed interest to participate. These centers are well spread geographically including Europe, Middle East, Asia, Australia, Africa and the United States. 2.- To evaluate the influence of resistance mechanisms on in vivo growth and disease progression in an established mouse model of invasive aspergillosis through multimodal imaging and biomarker testing in the presence or absence of antifungal prophylaxis/treatment and in a setting of mono- or mixed infection. Altogether this will help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of affected patients.
Publication year:2021
Accessibility:Closed