December 2020
Research highlight: cyp51 azole resistance genes
 
One particularly difficult milestone in the treatment journey of patients with CPA is the development of resistance to azole antifungals.
After this point, treatment becomes challenging because drugs such as itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole may no longer work. Historically, resistance was measured by testing whether clinical isolates can grow in medium containing azoles. Recent breakthroughs in genomics mean it is now possible to pinpoint the mechanism of resistance to a specific mutation in a specific gene, even when cultures have failed to grow or when there is a mixture of strains present.
 
Most azole-resistant strains have a mutation in the cyp51A gene, which encodes an enzyme needed for proper cell wall formation. However, Aspergillus has a second copy of this gene called cyp51B that can act as a backup, and Aspergillus flavus even has a third copy (cyp51C).
 
Researchers in Spain (plus Dr Jorge Amich of MFIG) recently published their genetic investigations of strains isolated from a CPA patient receiving long-term azole therapy. In 2017, they isolated an azole-resistant strain with a point mutation (G54A) in cyp51A that was resistant to most azoles, with the exception of voriconazole. Two years later they isolated another strain that had a similar genetic background but this time it had point mutations in both cyp51B (G457S) and hmg1(F390L), which encodes another enzyme from the same cell wall synthesisvpathway. This later strain was more resistant to azoles (had higher MICs) and was now also resistant to voriconazole.
 
As molecular testing becomes more widespread it will be very interesting to see which other genes contribute to azole resistance and how populations of Aspergillus evolve over time inside patients' lungs.
 
News & Notices
 
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New on LIFE Worldwide YouTube:
 
We are sad to note the passing of Professor Harbans Singh Randhawa, formerly the director of VPCI (University of Delhi) and vice-president of ISHAM, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He contributed greatly to research into fungal infections and allergies of the lungs and discovered several new species of fungal pathogen including Candida viswanathi.
 
The Journal of Fungi has a call for papers for a special issue on the theme of Monoclonal Antibodies as Tools to Diagnose and Treat Fungal Infection (deadline Thurs 31st Dec)
 
 
Webinars and online meetings
 
  • Thurs 28th Jan at 16:00 UK time
  • Suzanne Noble: Candida albicans, a fungal pathobiont of the mammalian gut
  • Amariliz Rivera: Novel insights on the regulation of interferons and innate antifungal immunity
 
Coming soon: Follow Cafe All Things Fungi (@CafeFungi) on Twitter - a discussion group for African early-career researchers
 
 
Quick facts: Aspergillosis and lung cancer
 
Fungal lung infections may co-exist alongside, follow on from, or be mistaken for various other lung infections and conditions. Two papers give striking statistics that give an insight into the multi-faceted relationship between fungal infections and lung cancer.
 
~ 3.5%
of patients who undergo surgery for lung cancer go on to develop CPA within 10 years
~ 50%
of invasive fungal lung infections look like lung cancer
 
 
  Patients and carers
 
Maybe you or a loved one has just received a diagnosis of aspergillosis and you’re not sure where to start. Or maybe you need to share information about your condition with your doctor, carer, housing association or benefits assessor.
 
WEBSITE: Our patients and carers website (aspergillosis.org) can provide you with everything you need to know about aspergillosis, as well as practical advice on managing your condition and keeping safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUP: Our Aspergillosis Support Facebook Group has over 2300 members and is a safe place to meet and talk to other people with aspergillosis. We also have a Facebook group for carers, friends and family of someone who is affected by the disease - join here
 
WEEKLY ZOOM CHAT: We host a weekly Zoom video phone call with around 4-8 patients and a member of National Aspergillosis Centre (NAC) staff twice each week. You can use a computer or mobile device to join the video at Aspergillosis Community Support. This meeting runs from 10:00-11:00 BST every Tuesday & Thursday and is also presented in our private Facebook group (see below).

MONTHLY PATIENTS & CARERS MEETING:On the first Friday of every month (13:00-15:00) we hold an online meeting .To receive a text reminder when each monthly meeting is approaching send us your mobile phone number to admin@aspergillus.org.uk (UK only)
 
Did you miss the December Patients & Carers meeting? You can catch up on our YouTube channel:
 
 
 
 
Jobs
Clinical networks
Conferences
 
Follow us on LinkedIn to get the latest jobs, news and professional events
 
2yr postdoc in fungal comparative genomics (Phakopsora, pathogen of soybean) at the Sainsbury Laboratory (Norwich). Apply by 31st Jan
 
Research Fellow in Chemistry/ Biophysics/ Fungal Biology (30 months) at Nottingham Trent University. Apply by 4th Jan
 
PhD CASE studentship in repurposing olorofim for treating Candida auris at UCL. Apply by 22nd Jan
 
EASTBIO PhD studentship on virulence factors and Aspergillus/Candida clearance at Aberdeen University. Apply by 6th Jan
 
 
More and more conferences are switching to exclusively online presentation as COVID-19 continues to restrict travel and social contact throughout the world.
 
Most recently the 38TH ANNUALMEETING OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR PAEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASES has been set for the 26 - 29th October 2020 as a virtual meeting
 
See more groups and societies
 
 
 
  Study Aspergillus with the Manchester Fungal Infection Group
 
 
 
 
  Our websites
 

     
Fungal Infection Trust, PO Box 482, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10 9AR