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Absence of Azole Antifungal Resistance in <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> Isolated from Root Vegetables Harvested from UK Arable and Horticultural Soils
oleh: Mireille H. van der Torre, Cheryl Whitby, Christopher P. Eades, Caroline B. Moore, Lilyann Novak-Frazer, Malcolm D. Richardson, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2020-10-01 |
Deskripsi
The emergence of azole-resistant <i>Aspergillus fumigatus</i> (AR<i>Af</i>) complicates the treatment of aspergillosis and can nearly double the mortality from invasive aspergillosis (IA). AR<i>Af</i> has been isolated from many different environmental sites and indoor environments and thus presents a significant risk for susceptible patients. Local surveillance of environmental AR<i>Af</i> can guide antifungal prescribing and improve patient outcomes. In this study, seventy-four soils samples collected from the surface of a variety of root vegetables from farm shops and private gardens covering a wide geographical area of the UK, were cultured to assess the presence of <i>A. fumigatus,</i> and the prevalence and nature of any resistance mechanisms. A high-throughput in-house antifungal susceptibility screening method was developed and validated using the EUCAST MIC reference method, E.DEF 9.3.1. A total of 146 isolates were recovered and analysed. Even though the study premise was that soil-covered root vegetables and other fresh produce could represent a conduit for AR<i>Af</i> exposure in vulnerable patients, no AR<i>Af</i> were found in the soil samples despite 55% of samples harbouring <i>A. fumigatus.</i> The sample type and screening method used could be suitable for more extensive monitoring of the soil to detect trends in the prevalence of AR<i>Af.</i>