Molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of Aspergillus species in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis patients from South India.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) comprises a spectrum of lung disorders caused by ubiquitous fungi of the genus Aspergillus, with Aspergillus fumigatus being the most frequently identified pathogen. The disease is globally prevalent and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we investigated the species distribution, antifungal susceptibility and genetic relatedness of Aspergillus isolates from CPA patients and environmental sources in South India. All tested isolates were susceptible to common antifungals, and A. fumigatus was overall the most common species. Isolates from patients and the environment occasionally displayed identical genotypes, suggesting CPA patients acquire the disease from the environment.