Understanding and mitigating the impact of emerging antifungal resistance

We are all exposed daily to spores from the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus in our air, a fungus that can cause fatal disease in susceptible patients. Our main treatment is a class of antifungal chemicals known as ‘azoles’. However, azoles are also used by the agricultural industry in huge quantities and our evidence suggests that ‘dual-use’ is leading to this fungus becoming resistant to our frontline drugs, leading to increased disease. 

We will use DNA sequencing to explore the extent that natural populations of Aspergillus are being changed by azoles, which we believe is amplifying undesirable features such as increased virulence. We will measure the extent that patients are being infected by azole-resistant Aspergillus from their environment and will investigate whether they transmit their infections. 

Our research will not only measure the extent of this emerging problem, but also its impact on the next generation of antifungal drugs.