A Survey of Azole-resistant Aspergillus Fumigatus in California Farms at the Animal-Human-Environmental Interface

<p>Control of fungal pathogens is increasingly problematic due to the small number of effective drugs or fungicides available for treatment. Moreover, the increased incidences of fungal resistance to a class of azoles, commonly used fungicides, make this problem a global human health issue. Certain azole fungicides such as propiconazole or tebuconazole that are applied to agricultural fields have the same mode of antifungal action as clinical azole drugs. Such long-term application of azole fungicides to fields could provide selection pressure for the emergence of pan-azole-resistant strains such as the A. fumigatus TR34/L98H mutant. While first identified in European countries, the A. fumigatus TR34 L98H mutant have recently been detected in the United States. To better understand the prevalence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus at the human-animal-environment interface, we will examine triazole resistance and resistance mechanisms of A. fumigatus and also aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus in California farms where azole fungicides are routinely applied for crop protection.</p>