Toward the consensus of definitions for the phenomena of antifungal tolerance and persistence in filamentous fungi.

Abstract

Antifungal drug tolerance and persistence are being increasingly recognized in fungal pathogens. Accordingly, more and more research is being carried out to characterize and understand these phenomena. However, the terminology and methodology employed in the fungal community lack consensus, particularly for filamentous fungi, as they present further complexities when compared to single-celled microorganisms. Hence, with the aim to ensure consistency in the literature, in this Perspective article, we propose tailored definitions for tolerance and persistence in filamentous fungi and suggest methods to detect and investigate these phenomena in the laboratory.