United EU agencies tackle azole fungicides against Aspergillus fungi

United EU agencies tackle azole fungicides against Aspergillus fungi

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United EU agencies tackle azole fungicides against Aspergillus fungi – Extensive use of azole fungicides, particularly in some agricultural and horticultural practices, may increase the risk of Aspergillus fungi developing resistance to key antifungal drugs. This finding is highlighted in a report by the EU’s five health and environment agencies with support from the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC). The agencies worked together as part of a One Health approach to tackle this growing threat.

January 30, 2025 – For the first time, the five EU health and environmental authorities, namely ECHA, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), have investigated how the use of azole substances outside of human medicine affects public health. These organizations were also supported by the JRC .

 

What are azole drugs?

Azole drugs are essential for the treatment of aspergillosis. This is a serious infection caused by Aspergillus fungi. However, these fungi are becoming increasingly resistant to azole therapies, making treatment less effective.

 

Use azole substances

Azole substances are frequently used in plant protection products (pesticides) to combat fungal diseases in agriculture and horticulture, as veterinary medicines to treat fungal infections in animals, as biocides in wood preservatives, as industrial chemicals (e.g. intermediates and colorants) and in cosmetics (e.g. as anti-dandruff agents).

 

Danger of resistance

The joint report highlights that its widespread use outside of human medicine – particularly in agriculture – contributes to the risk of azole resistance in Aspergillus. Exposure to certain environments where azole fungicides are used or present, such as agricultural and horticultural waste and freshly felled wood, can potentially increase the risk of infection with azole-resistant Aspergillus spp.
The data collected in the EU/EEA countries (2010-2021) and included in the report describes in detail the use of azole fungicides across Europe. Crop protection products account for the majority of reported sales across all sectors.

 

Response from ECHA Executive Director Dr. Sharon McGuinness

“ECHA is proud to support the European Union’s efforts to protect human health and the environment from the growing threat of fungal resistance.” Tackling azole resistance, which stems from both human and environmental exposure to these chemicals, underlines the importance of a coordinated One Health approach. By pooling the expertise of EU agencies in the fields of agriculture, biocides, environment, medicine and veterinary medicine, we can help to combat the development of resistance more effectively.”

 

Important recommendations

Combating azole resistance in Aspergillus requires cross-sector collaboration. The “One Health” approach brought together EU experts from human and veterinary medicine as well as agricultural and environmental sciences to review existing knowledge, identify factors that promote azole resistance and propose measures for its prevention and control.

 

Recommended measures

The agencies’ experts recognized the interconnected nature of this challenge and recommended the following actions:

  • Include new specific requirements in the approval and authorization procedures for azole fungicides;
  • Support research and development of new fungicides with innovative mechanisms of action that do not lead to resistance to antifungals used in human treatment;
  • Follow good agricultural and horticultural practices, store organic waste properly, manage waste effectively and use and dispose of azole-treated products responsibly;
  • Implement effective waste management for wood treated with azole biocides;
  • Collect more data on the use of azole fungicides and azole antifungals.
  • Further develop specific technical guidelines and risk assessment methods to support regulatory decisions on the authorization of azole substances and to reduce the risk of azole resistance in Aspergillus;
  • Conduct further research to address existing uncertainties.

 

The added value of the One Health methodology

The report highlights the value of the One Health methodology in tackling complex health threats such as mold resistance. By continuing interdisciplinary collaboration, we can strengthen surveillance, advance research and implement effective measures to protect human and animal health and the environment.

 

 

Further information

 

Source: ECHA
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This information has been compiled with the greatest possible care, in some cases from different information sources. (Interpretation) errors are not excluded. No legal obligation can therefore be derived from this text. Everyone dealing with this subject has the responsibility to delve into the matter!

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