Projects per year
Abstract
Antifungal resistance has emerged as a significant health concern with increasing reports of resistant variants in previously susceptible species. At present, little is known about occupational exposure to antifungal-resistant fungi. This study aimed to investigate Danish workers' occupational exposure to airborne fungi resistant to first-line treatment drugs. A retrospective study was performed on a unique collection of personal exposure samples gathered over a twenty-year period from Danish working environments, in sectors including agriculture, animal handling, waste management, and healthcare. A total of 669 samples were cultivated at 37 °C and fungal colonies were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Subsequently, identification was confirmed by amplicon sequencing the genes of calmodulin and beta-tubulin to unveil potential cryptic species. Infectious fungi (495 isolates from 23 species) were tested for resistance against Itraconazole, Voriconazole, Posaconazole, and Amphotericin B. Working environments were highly variable in the overall fungal exposure, and showed vastly different species compositions. Resistance was found in 30 isolates of the species Aspergillus fumigatus (4 of 251 isolates), A. nidulans (2 of 13), A. niger complex (19 of 131), A. versicolor (3 of 18), and A. lentulus (2 of 2). Sequence analysis revealed several cryptic species within the A. niger complex including A. tubingensis, A. luchuensis, and A. phoenicis. Among the resistant A. fumigatus isolates, two contained the well-described TR34/L98H mutation in the cyp51A gene and promoter region, while the remainder harbored silent mutations. The results indicate that the working environment significantly contributes to exposure to resistant fungi, with particularly biofuel plant workers experiencing high exposure. Differences in the prevalence of resistance across working environments may be linked to the underlying species composition.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Science of the Total Environment |
Volume | 923 |
Pages (from-to) | 171189 |
ISSN | 0048-9697 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2024 |
Keywords
- Antifungal Agents/pharmacology
- Aspergillus fumigatus
- Azoles
- Fungal Proteins/genetics
- Fungi
- Itraconazole
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests
- Retrospective Studies
- antibiotikaresistens
- skimmelsvampe
- biobrændsel
- gartneri
- eksponering
- aspergillose
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Dive into the research topics of 'Exposure to resistant fungi across working environments and time'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Eksponering for resistente svampe i arbejdsmiljøet
Madsen, A. M., Tranchant, E. E., Frederiksen, M. W., Rasmussen, P. U. & Kofoed, V. C.
01/07/2021 → 31/12/2023
Project: Research
Activities
- 2 Lecture and oral contribution
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Præsentation af Fungicid projekt til følgegruppemøde om grøn omstilling
Victor Carp Kofoed (Speaker)
15 Aug 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Lecture and oral contribution
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Præsentation af Fungicid projekt i Miljøstyrelsen
Victor Carp Kofoed (Speaker)
27 Mar 2023Activity: Talk or presentation › Lecture and oral contribution