Aspergillus fumigatus and aspergillosis: can the mould be broken?

Ref ID: 18437

Author:

Rogers T.R

Author address:

Department of Clinical Microbiology, Trinity College Dublin and St James’s
Hospital Dublin Ireland

Full conference title:

Society for General Microbiology

Date: 26 March 2014

Abstract:

That Aspergillus fumigatus has proven to be such a successful
opportunistic pathogen to some extent reflects medical progress
in treating malignancies, such as leukaemia, and chronic conditions,
thereby enabling patients to survive but with ongoing immune
compromise. Even though there is a growing body of information on
the pathogenesis of aspergillosis, and a decent antifungal repertoire, the
morbidity from this infectious disease is considerable. Two particular
challenges are: firstly, how can aspergillus infection be detected
early enough to prevent progression of the disease with a likely fatal
outcome?; the second challenge is how can host immunity be boosted
bearing in mind that response rates to antifungal therapy are so poor?
Recent research suggests that some individuals may have a genetic
susceptibility to aspergillus infection as a consequence of polymorphisms
in innate immune receptors that may impair Th1 responses. Immune
modulation may be a worthwhile strategy as a complementary
approach to antifungal therapy. Other issues include reports of emerging antifungal drug resistance in A fumigatus notably to triazole
antifungals, and continuing concerns over risk to patients of nosocomial
aspergillosis as a consequence of building or refurbishment works close
to clinical areas.

Abstract Number: DU16

Conference Year: 2012

Link to conference website: http://www.sgm.ac.uk/meetings/SGM%20Dublin%202012_Abstracts.pdf

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