Technologies

Coccidioidomycosis (commonly known as “Valley Fever”) is a respiratory illness that is acquired by the inhalation of airborne spores and may result in severe and even life-threatening pulmonary illness. Its incidence has risen six-fold since 1993, and it accounts for 150,000 human infections annually.

Current tests detect antibodies produced in response to the fungus. However, it may take weeks to months to develop such an antibody response, and many immunocompromised patients may not mount an antibody response at all. Therefore, there is a need for a blood test to directly detect coccidioidal proteins allowing for a more definitive diagnosis.

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method for diagnosing Valley Fever by detecting a polypeptide biomarker associated with Valley Fever. The test works with blood, urine, saliva, or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples.

This direct examination is a noninvasive, fast, and accurate way to test for Valley Fever.