Molecular correlates of elevated terbinafine and fluconazole MICs in Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex isolates.

Elevated terbinafine and fluconazole MICs in Trichophyton mentagrophytes complex isolates are linked to specific molecular changes, including SQLE mutations and increased MDR2 expression.

• Why it matters: Understanding these molecular features is crucial for addressing antifungal resistance in dermatophyte infections, especially as T. indotineae emerges as a resistant pathogen.
• What they did: The study analyzed 72 clinical isolates using ITS sequencing, susceptibility testing, partial gene sequencing, and qPCR to identify molecular correlates of elevated MICs to terbinafine and fluconazole.
• The result: Elevated terbinafine MICs correlated with SQLE mutations and higher SQLE transcript levels, while elevated fluconazole MICs were associated with increased MDR2 expression, informing potential resistance mechanisms.