In vivo studies of the pathogenesis of fungal infections in experimental models.

Aspergillosis describes a group of infectious diseases caused by the fungus Aspergillus. People daily come in contact with this fungus by inhaling hundreds of spores, but mainly immunocompromised patients are at risk for developing invasive aspergillosis. This is a potential life-threatening situation, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Azoles are essential in the prevention and treatment of aspergillosis, but the number of azole resistant Aspergillus strains is increasing in Europe. A correct estimation of the prevalence of azole resistance is currently unavailable because clinical Aspergillus isolates are not yet systematically tested for azole resistance. Therefore, we will investigate the epidemiology of azole resistance in Belgium by conducting a surveillance study.

Preclinical research plays an essential role in gaining insight in the pathogenesis of Aspergillus infections. However, standard techniques used to evaluate infection in small animals are limited by their invasiveness. In this project, we aim to develop a non-invasive, multimodal imaging approach to investigate the dynamic pathogenesis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and host-pathogen interactions in individual animals. This multimodal imaging approach will be used for the in vivo assessment of the response to antifungal treatment of both resistant and susceptible Aspergillus strains.