The Trust's Patrons
David W. Denning MB BS FRCP FRCPath DCH
Professor and Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Head, Section of Infectious Diseases, University of Manchester.
Graduate of Guy's Hospital, University of London, 1980. Clinical training in internal medicine, infectious diseases, microbiology, paediatrics and haematology in London, Glasgow and California (1980-1990).
Research training at the MRC Clinical Research Centre, Harrow, UK (1985-87) and Stanford University, California, USA (1987-1990). My clinical interests are in fungal diseases, AIDS, immuno-compromised patients and complex hospital infection problems. My research interests relate to antifungal susceptibility testing and resistance, pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis, clinical studies of new antifungal agents.
In addition to continuing clinical practice and research, I have recently set up, with Jayne Brookman, a biotechnology company called F2G. F2G is involved in identifying new antifungal drug targets and discovering new antifungal drugs and fungicides.
Professor David W Denning comments:
Aspergillus is one of the most common fungi found in the air. It is also found in large quantities in damp cellars and compost heaps. Fungi like Aspergillus are very important in the ecosystem because they help to break down vegetable matter into small nutritious units available for carbon, nitrogen and sulphur recycling.
Unfortunately these fungi also cause disease in susceptible people. As the treatment of bacterial infections has improved so fungal infections have become more important. As the treatment of asthma and other allergies have improved the importance of fungi in inducing allergy has become more obvious.
Treatment options have improved recently with the introduction of Caspofungin (Merck Sharpe & Dome) and Voriconazole (Pfizer). These drugs, partially effective for Aspergillus infections, are the first new drugs to be introduced for Aspergillus infections for more than ten years. Unfortunately neither drug is completely effective and Caspofungin is only available intravenously which limits its use to patients in hospital.
One of the major limitations in the successful treatment of Aspergillus infections is recognition by doctors. The diagnostic tools available are inadequate and symptoms related to the disease are often subtle and therefore the diagnosis is often missed.
The Aspergillus Trust will play an important role in increasing awareness and knowledge of these diseases both amongst medical staff and the general public.
