Combatting drug resistance of aspergillus fumigatus, a leading fungal pathogen of humans

 

Fungal pathogens pose a major threat to human health. Among the deadliest fungal infections is invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, mainly caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, with mortality rates as high as 90%, even with current treatment options. Treatment of fungal infections is notoriously difficult. The main antifungals for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis are triazoles and echinocadins. The dramatic rise in global incidence of triazole-resistant A. fumigatus has increased dependence on echinocandins, with echinocandin resistance now posing a growing concern.

This project supports the investigation of new mechanisms of antifungal drug resistance and novel strategies to abolish resistance. It was selected for funding during the second research competition of the Joint Canada-Israel Health Research Program – Phase II (Communicable Diseases). The program is a partnership between IDRC, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Israel Science Foundation, and the Azrieli Foundation.