Creating a new test to detect past infections of Coccidioides fungi
Official title: Development of Coccidioides Cytokine Release Assay
Funded at Miravista Diagnostics, LLC · NIH-10897063 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new blood test to help doctors better diagnose Coccidioidomycosis, a fungal infection, by checking how your immune system responds to the fungus, making it easier to understand if you've had this infection in the past.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Miravista Diagnostics, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $983,736 |
| NIH project number | 5R44AI152654-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10897063 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced symptoms of Coccidioidomycosis or live in areas where the infection is endemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have never been exposed to Coccidioides fungi or those with other unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a cytokine release assay (CRA) to improve the diagnosis of Coccidioidomycosis (CM), a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The CRA aims to detect immune responses to specific antigens from the fungi, providing a more accurate assessment of past infections compared to traditional skin tests. By analyzing blood samples, this method seeks to enhance patient care and better understand the prevalence of CM in affected regions. The study will involve collaboration with clinical centers to evaluate the assay's effectiveness in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more reliable method for diagnosing past Coccidioides infections, improving patient management and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches using cytokine release assays for other infections, such as tuberculosis, have shown success, indicating potential for this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Miravista Diagnostics, LLC
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Holbrook, Eric — Miravista Diagnostics, LLC
- Study coordinator: Holbrook, Eric
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.