High prevalence and genetic diversity of a single ancestral origin azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in indoor environments at Walailak University, Southern Thailand
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Issued Date
2022-10-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14622912
eISSN
14622920
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85135872524
Pubmed ID
36254865
Journal Title
Environmental Microbiology
Volume
24
Issue
10
Start Page
4641
End Page
4651
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Environmental Microbiology Vol.24 No.10 (2022) , 4641-4651
Suggested Citation
Daloh M., Wisessombat S., Pinchai N., Santajit S., Bhoopong P., Soaart A., Chueajeen K., Jitlang A., Sama-ae I. High prevalence and genetic diversity of a single ancestral origin azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in indoor environments at Walailak University, Southern Thailand. Environmental Microbiology Vol.24 No.10 (2022) , 4641-4651. 4651. doi:10.1111/1462-2920.16154 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/83131
Title
High prevalence and genetic diversity of a single ancestral origin azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in indoor environments at Walailak University, Southern Thailand
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This study explored the prevalence, genetic diversity, and population structure of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus (ARAf) at Walailak University in Southern Thailand. Three hundred samples were collected from dwellings and workplaces, screened for azole resistance, and tested for drug susceptibility. Molecular detection of alterations in the cyp51A gene and CSP1 typing was performed. Nucleotide polymorphism and haplotype diversity were calculated, and selective neutrality tests were performed. In total, 62 A. fumigatus isolates were identified, with 17 isolates displaying resistance to medical azoles. The prevalence of ARAf in the A. fumigatus isolates was 27.4%. Almost all azole-resistant isolates harboured an amino acid substitution in the hotspot region of the cyp51A gene, especially at or nearby the G54 residue that has been reported as a cause of azole resistance arising from long-term azole treatment. Moreover, some of the ARAf isolates harboured tandem repeats in the promoter region, which have been reported as a cause of resistance arising from the use of azole fungicides in crop protection. Finally, selective neutrality testing also suggested an impact of natural selection on DNA diversity. Therefore, we hypothesize that the factors causing the high prevalence of ARAf in this area are both in vivo- and ex vivo-acquired resistance.