showing azole resistance according to the EUCAST 9.3.2 methodology were molecularly identified and the cyp51A gene was studied in A. fumigatus sensu stricto isolates. Results: Eight hundred and forty-seven isolates from 725 patients were collected in 29 hospitals (A. fumigatus sensu stricto (n ¼ 828) and cryptic species (n ¼ 19)). Isolates were mostly from the lower respiratory tract (94.0%; 797/847). Only cryptic species were amphotericin B resistant. Sixty-three (7.4%) out of the 847 isolates were resistant to 1 azole(s). Azole resistance was higher in cryptic species than in A. fumigatus sensu stricto (95%, 18/19 vs. 5.5%, 45/828); isavuconazole was associated to the lowest number of non-wild type isolates. The dominant mechanism of resistance was the presence of TR 34 -L98H substitutions (n ¼ 24 out of 63). Out of the 725 patients, 48 (6.6%) carried either cryptic species (n ¼ 14) or A. fumigatus sensu stricto (n ¼ 34; 4.7%) resistant isolates. Aspergillus fumigatus sensu stricto harbouring either the TR 34 -L98H (n ¼ 19) or TR 46 /Y121F/T289A (n ¼ 1) mutations were detected in patients in hospitals located at 7/24 studied cities. Discussion: Of the patients, 6.6% carry azole-resistant A. fumigatus sensu lato isolates in Spain. TR 34 -L98H is the dominant cyp51A gene substitutions, although its presence is not widespread.

Severely ill COVID-19 patients are at high risk of nosocomial infections. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of candidemia during the pre-pandemic period (January 2019–February 2020) compared to the pandemic period (March 2020–September 2021). Antifungal susceptibilities were assessed using the EUCAST E.Def 7.3.2 broth dilution method. Fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis isolates (FRCP) were studied for sequencing of the ERG11 gene. The incidence of candidemia and C. parapsilosis bloodstream infection increased significantly in the pandemic period (p = 0.021). ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, parenteral nutrition and corticosteroids administration were more frequent in patients with candidemia who had been admitted due to COVID-19. Fifteen cases of FRCP fungemia were detected. The first case was recorded 10 months before the pandemic in a patient transferred from another hospital. The incidence of FRCP in patients admitted for COVID-19 was 1.34 and 0.16 in all other patients (p < 0.001). ICU admission, previous Candida spp. colonization, arterial catheter use, parenteral nutrition and renal function replacement therapy were more frequent in patients with candidemia due to FRCP. All FRCP isolates showed the Y132F mutation. In conclusion, the incidence of candidemia experienced an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic and FRCP fungemia was more frequent in patients admitted due to COVID-19.

We have been monitoring the antifungal resistance in Candida parapsilosis isolates collected from inpatients at Madrid metropolitan area hospitals for the last 3 years. The study aimed to elucidate the presence of fluconazole-resistant C. parapsilosis genotypes in Madrid.

In vitro activity of ibrexafungerp against Candida species isolated from blood cultures. Determination of wild type populations using the EUCAST method