Interdisciplinary think tank to minimize the emergence and spread of antifungal resistance

The term antibiotic (which means "opposing life") refers to substances that can destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, in the treatment of infectious diseases. Although intense spotlight has been put on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the focus has almost solely been on antibacterial resistance. However, fungal infections that are resistant to antifungal treatment are an emerging public health problem. There are currently more than 1 million deaths due to fungal infections annually. Apparently are antifungals used in agriculture contributing to the development and spread of resistance in fungi that are causing human infections. We need efficient antifungals both for food security and medical treatment. Immediate action to abate antifungal resistance is of crucial importance, and a multidisciplinary effort in a One Health-perspective is needed. ResAzoleNet is tailored to illuminate and collect knowledge about antifungal resistance in a One Health-perspective and thus to identify knowledge gaps and research needs. Although critical to the design of preventive strategies and effective resistance reducing measures, these insights are currently lacking. ResAzoleNet is a national, international and multidisciplinary collaboration joining renowned scientists from human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, mycology, experts in fungal genetics, economists and epidemiologists. ResAzoleNet brings together research groups from different disciplines, sectors and institutions to illuminate the problem complexity and exchange knowledge and methods. The network will compile existing knowledge on antifungal resistance in a One Health perspective, to propose new research projects. Routes of influence to relevant national and international authorities and stakeholders are mapped, for distribution of the project results and recommendations of measures. We arranged an international conference in Oslo 22-23rd January 2019 to discuss the problem, challenges and alternative measures. In connection with the conference, a report was presented summarizing what we know and do not know about azole resistance in a One Health perspective (Knowledge and knowledge gaps on azole resistance in a One Health perspective). The think tank will be continued in a new network project.

Gjennom ResAzoleNet har vi fått økt oppmerksomhet om soppresistens og økt forståelse for at det må samarbeid til nasjonalt og internasjonalt for å bremse utviklingen av soppresistens med de konsekvenser det får for FNs bærekraftsmål 2, 3 og 15. Vi har identifisert klare kunnskapshull og forskningsbehov.

The term antibiotic (which means "opposing life") refers to any substance produced by or derived from microorganisms that in dilute solutions can destroy or inhibit the growth of other microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, in the treatment of infectious diseases. Although intense spotlight has been put on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the focus has almost solely been on antibacterial resistance. However, fungal infections that are resistant to antifungal treatment are an emerging public health problem. Immediate action to abate antifungal resistance is of crucial importance. ResAzoleNet is tailored to illuminate and collect knowledge about antifungal resistance and identify knowledge gaps and research needs. Although critical to the design of preventive strategies and effective resistance reducing measures, these insights are currently lacking. ResAzoleNet is a new national, international and multidisciplinary collaboration joining renowned scientists from human and veterinary medicine, agriculture, mycologists, experts in fungal genetics, economists and epidemiologists. ResAzoleNet brings together research groups from different disciplines, sectors and institutions to illuminate the problem complexity and exchange knowledge and methods (WP1). The network will compile existing knowledge on antifungal resistance in a One Health perspective (WP2), to propose new research projects (WP3). Routes of influence to relevant national and international authorities and stakeholders will be mapped, for distribution of the project results and recommendations of measures (WP4). Finally, an international conference will be arranged to discuss the problem, challenges and alternative measures (WP1).