New research from a team of scientists in the United Kingdom and Ireland suggests a drug-resistant fungus has the potential to spread from the environment to susceptible patients.

The study, published this week in Nature Microbiology, found six patients with infections caused by strains of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus that were genetically similar to those found in the soil and plants in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland—an indication that those strains had been acquired from the environment. The findings also suggested that the strains likely acquired resistance to azoles from the widespread use of agricultural fungicides.

"Our findings highlight new ways of resistant infections passing to people and show that a better understanding of where and how Aspergillus fumigatus is generating drug resistance is needed," lead study author Johanna Rhodes, PhD, of Imperial College London, said in a press release.