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Azole fungicides and Aspergillus resistance, five EU agency report highlights the problem for the first time using a One Health approach

Summary

A major European health agency report warns that widely-used fungicides sprayed on crops to prevent plant diseases may be creating resistant fungi that can infect humans and make medical treatments ineffective. The study found that about 10,000 tonnes of these azole fungicides are used in Europe annually, and their residues accumulate in the environment where they can cause harmful fungi to become resistant to the same medicines doctors use to treat patients. The report calls for urgent action to better monitor this problem and prevent resistance through smarter use and regulation of agricultural fungicides.

Background

Azole fungicides are widely used in agriculture across Europe, with approximately 10,000 tonnes sold annually for plant protection. Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprophytic fungus found in plant and timber waste, can develop resistance to azole fungicides through exposure to residues in green waste. This resistance can compromise the effectiveness of medical azoles used to treat human fungal infections.

Objective

To examine the impact of azole fungicide use in agriculture on the development of azole-resistant Aspergillus species through a multiagency European collaboration. The report aimed to establish a causal link between fungicide use and resistance development, review environmental resistance selection drivers, and propose a risk assessment framework.

Results

The report identified two signature mutations in the Cyp51A gene (TR34/L98H and TR46/Y121F/T289A) as the primary causes of azole resistance in A. fumigatus. The Netherlands and Germany ranked highest in fungicide sales per hectare. The report documented 23 main priority data gaps and issued 29 recommendations for addressing these gaps and establishing resistance hotspots.

Conclusion

Urgent action is needed to address azole pollution and fungal antimicrobial resistance selection through coordinated regulatory and research efforts. An interdisciplinary approach combining compound authorization reform, environmental monitoring, surveillance programs, and genomic analysis is essential to balance food security with preserving effective antifungal treatments.
  • Published in:npj Antimicrobial Resistance,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: PMID: 41131339, DOI: 10.1038/s44259-025-00140-0
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