Fluorescent Lateral Flow Assay for Diagnosis of Cocciodioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley Fever, is a disease caused by inhalation of Coccidioides arthroconidia. This disease is endemic to the southwestern United States, parts of Mexico, and Central and South America. Every year approximately 150,000 people in the United States become infected with Coccidioides spp. Importantly, the rate of Valley Fever cases is increasing dramatically, earning it a classification as a "reemerging infectious disease". Indeed, in Arizona alone, the number of Valley Fever cases has more than quadrupled over the last decade. There is a need for earlier diagnosis in patients with community-acquired pneumonia and endemic exposure to Coccidioides. A diagnostic toolto enable earlier diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis could facilitate the recognition and possible prevention of complications stemming from this infection which could ultimately reduce the financial burden of the disease. The goals of this project are to optimize and evaluate a fluorescent lateral flow assay for the rapid detection of Coccidioides antigens so that it can be used utilized in point-of-care (POC) setting as a diagnostic toolfor coccidioidomycosis. Criteria for success in this Phase I SBIR proposal would be determination of the range of detection of a proof-of-concept Coccidioides LFA for urine and/or serum samples.