ABR2AFR

International Stakeholder Meeting on Antifungal Resistance

The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus causes respiratory diseases including invasive aspergillosis (IA). Medical azoles play an important role in the treatment of IA and other Aspergillus diseases. The treatment of Aspergillus diseases is increasingly complicated by azole resistance, which is mainly caused by azole fungicide presence in the environment. The resistance problem is complex and affects various public and private stakeholders. The aim of the international stakeholder meeting ABR2AFR event is to apply 6 determinants of successful control of bacterial antibiotic resistance (ABR) to antifungal resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus to develop an AFR road map and consensus declaration. 

The 2-day meeting ABR2AFR discuss the impact of the dual use of antifungal compounds in relation to resistance selection development in Aspergillus fumigatus. Participants to be invited are staff of the EU agencies, members of the expert groups that advised the agencies, governments, relevant organizations dealing with the authorization of fungicides, scientists (human, veterinary, agricultural), pharmaceutical and fungicide manufacturers, agriculture organizations and public health institutions.

The objective is to draw up an integrated antifungal resistance (AFR) road map based on the 6 determinants and to publish a consensus declaration. The road map will not be limited to azoles, but also address how new shared antifungal modes of actions can safely be introduced for dual use.

The road map will demand for the commitment from the public and private stakeholders and will be an important basis for operationalizing the recommendations on international, national and institutional levels.