Aspergillus species and other molds in respiratory samples from patients with cystic fibrosis: a laboratory-based study with focus on Aspergillus fumigatus azole resistance

Respiratory tract colonization by molds in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) were analyzed, with particular focus on the frequency, genotype, and underlying mechanism of azole resistance among Aspergillus fumigatus isolates. Clinical and demographic data were also analyzed. A total of 3,336 respiratory samples from 287 CF patients were collected during two 6-month periods in 2007 and 2009. Azole resistance was detected using an itraconazole screening agar (4 mg/liter) and the EUCAST method. cyp51A gene sequencing and microsatellite genotyping were performed for isolates from patients harboring azole-resistant A. fumigatus. Aspergillus spp. were present in 145 patients (51%), of whom 63 (22%) were persistently colonized. Twelve patients (4%) harbored other molds. Persistently colonized patients were older, provided more samples, and more often had a chronic bacterial infection. Six of 133 patients (4.5%) harbored azole-nonsusceptible or -resistant A. fumigatus isolates, and five of those six patients had isolates with Cyp51A alterations (M220K, tandem repeat [TR]/L98H, TR/L98H-S297T-F495I, M220I-V101F, and Y431C). All six patients were previously exposed to azoles. Genotyping revealed (i) microevolution for A. fumigatus isolates received consecutively over the 2-year period, (ii) susceptible and resistant isolates (not involving TR/L98H isolates) with identical or very closely related genotypes (two patients), and (iii) two related susceptible isolates and a third unrelated resistant isolate with a unique genotype and the TR/L98H resistance combination (one patient). Aspergilli were frequently found in Danish CF patients, with 4.5% of the A. fumigatus isolates being azole nonsusceptible or resistant. Genotyping suggested selection of resistance in the patient as well as resistance being achieved in the environment. K.L.M. is member of the ISHAM Working Group on Fungal Respiratory Infections in Cystic Fibrosis and has received travel grants from Pfizer, Schering-Plough (now MSD), and MSD. R.H.J. has received a travel grant from MSD. E.M. was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN; grant number SAF2008-04143) and has been paid for a talk on behalf of Gilead. S.J.H. has received support grants from Gilead, Pfizer, and the Fungal Research Trust and travel grants from Astellas and Schering-Plough and has been paid for talks on behalf of Pfizer and Astellas. M.C.A. has been paid for talks on behalf of Astellas, Merck, Pfizer, Schering-Plough, Spepharm, Gilead, and Swedish Orphan, acted as a consultant for Merck, Astellas, Spepharm, and Pfizer, received research grants from Astellas, Pfizer, Roche, Schering-Plough, and Merck and received travel grants from Astellas, Merck, Pfizer, Schering-Plough, and Swedish Orphan. H.K.J., M.S., T.P., and H.L. have no conflicts to report. Sí