Although typically the cause of mild pneumonia known as Valley Fever, the soil fungus Coccidioides causes life-threatening infection in some people — particularly Black, Filipino, and Hispanic people. Valley Fever disproportionately affects outdoor laborers in the Central Valley, many of whom have limited access to medical care. Coccidioides infection rates have been increasing in the US West due to climate change, as cycles of heavy rain and severe drought allow the fungus to proliferate in soil. Fortunately, once infected, a person becomes immune from subsequent Coccidioides infection. Co-Principal Investigators Drs. Julie Parsonnet, MD, and Niaz Banaei, MD, aim to design an interferon-gamma release assay, a blood test that screens for immune responses to Coccidioides. It is hoped that this assay will be able to determine prior exposure and immunity and ultimately allow for better protection of those who are at risk for contracting the fungal infection. A better understanding of this disease and who is at risk can spur public health actions to protect farm, construction, and other outdoor workers, leading to more equitable local and global health practices.

Principal Investigators:

Julie Parsonnet, MD, Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine, Departments of Medicine and of Epidemiology and Population Health

Niaz Banaei, MD, Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine, Departments of Pathology and of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine)

Research Team:

Kanagavel Murugesan, Research Scientist, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology; Fiona Senchyna, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology; Rebecca Linfield, MD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Stanford University School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health

Funders:

Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford Department of Medicine