Work

Horizontal Gene Transfer of Triazole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: It is well known that bacteria can transfer antibiotic resistance from one strain to another by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), leading to the current worldwide crisis of rapidly emerging antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, in fungi, HGT events have only been indirectly documented by whole-genome sequencing. This study directly examined fungal HGT of antibiotic resistance in a laboratory setting. We show that HGT of antifungal triazole resistance occurs in the important human fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Importantly, we show a plasmid-mediated transfer of triazole resistance occurs under conditions likely to prevail in the environment and in infected patients. This study provides an experimental foundation for future work identifying the drivers and mechanistic underpinnings of HGT in fungi.

Source: Microbiology Spectrum

DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01112-22

Authors: Alma Morogovsky, Mariana Handelman, Ammar Abou Kandil, Yona Shadkchan, Nir Osherov

Institution: Tel Aviv University

Language: English

Topic: Antifungal resistance and susceptibility

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,500