Characterization of azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus from potting soil samples in a Chinese hospital:comparison of two typing methods.

To understand the characterizations of azole resistance in A. fumigatus from potting soil samples in the hospital, a total of 58 samples were collected. Among 106 A. fumigatus obtained, five isolates from 4 soil samples located in the gerontology department were identified as azole resistant A. fumigatus (ARAF). Four ARAF harbored TR34 /L98H allele and the other one had no mutation in cyp51A gene. Among 174 A. fumigatus selected for genotyping, TRESPERG typing obtained a close discriminatory power [DI=0.9941, 95% CI (0.9913,0.9968)] compared with the STR typing [DI=0.9997, 95% CI (0.9976,1.0000)]. Genotyping showed that the TR34 /L98H isolates in the hospital had a close genetic relationship with ARAF isolates from China and many other countries. In conclusion, this study indicated the presence of ARAF in potting soil samples from hospital, which might pose a risk of acquiring ARAF infection for patients.