Correlation between triazole treatment history and susceptibility in clinically isolated Aspergillus fumigatus

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2012 Sep;56(9):4870-5. doi: 10.1128/AAC.00514-12. Epub 2012 Jul 2.

Abstract

This is the first report of a detailed relationship between triazole treatment history and triazole MICs for 154 Aspergillus fumigatus clinical isolates. The duration of itraconazole dosage increased as the itraconazole MIC increased, and a positive correlation was observed (r = 0.5700, P < 0.0001). The number of itraconazole-naïve isolates dramatically decreased as the itraconazole MIC increased, particularly for MICs exceeding 2 μg/ml (0.5 μg/ml versus 2 μg/ml, P = 0.03). We also examined the relationship between cumulative itraconazole usage and the MICs of other azoles. A positive correlation existed between itraconazole dosage period and posaconazole MIC (r = 0.5237, P < 0.0001). The number of itraconazole-naïve isolates also decreased as the posaconazole MIC increased, particularly for MICs exceeding 0.5 μg/ml (0.25 μg/ml versus 0.5 μg/ml, P = 0.004). Conversely, the correlation coefficient obtained from the scattergram of itraconazole usage and voriconazole MICs was small (r = -0.2627, P = 0.001). Susceptibility to three triazole agents did not change as the duration of voriconazole exposure changed. In addition, we carried out detailed analysis, including microsatellite genotyping, for isolates obtained from patients infected with azole-resistant A. fumigatus. We confirmed the presence of acquired resistance to itraconazole and posaconazole due to a G54 substitution in the cyp51A gene for a patient with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis after oral itraconazole therapy. We should consider the possible appearance of azole-resistant A. fumigatus if itraconazole is used for extended periods.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / adverse effects
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / drug effects*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / enzymology
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / genetics*
  • Aspergillus fumigatus / isolation & purification
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics*
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal / drug effects*
  • Drug Resistance, Fungal / genetics
  • Female
  • Fungal Proteins / genetics*
  • Fungal Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / administration & dosage
  • Itraconazole / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis / drug therapy*
  • Pulmonary Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Time Factors
  • Triazoles / administration & dosage
  • Triazoles / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Triazoles
  • Itraconazole
  • posaconazole
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • cytochrome P-450 CYP51A, Aspergillus