Investigating antifungal use and resistance in veterinary medicine
Official title: A Pilot Study of Veterinary Antifungal Use and Resistance in Support of Vet-LIRN's Antimicrobial Stewardship Efforts
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11072290 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to learn how veterinarians use antifungal medications for pets and how some fungi are becoming resistant to these treatments, so they can find better ways to prevent and manage fungal infections in our furry friends.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $81,250 |
| NIH project number | 1U18FD008363-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11072290 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include veterinarians working with companion animals who are involved in diagnosing and treating fungal infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have access to veterinary care or those not involved in companion animal treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand how antifungal drugs are used in veterinary medicine and the emergence of resistance among fungal pathogens. By conducting an online survey of veterinarians, the study will gather information on their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding antifungal resistance and prescribing. The goal is to identify risk factors for fungal infections and improve antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal care. This work is crucial as it addresses a growing public health concern related to antifungal resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment protocols for fungal infections in animals, ultimately benefiting both animal and human health.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been significant research on bacterial antimicrobial resistance, studies specifically addressing antifungal resistance in veterinary medicine are limited, making this approach relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cole, Stephen Douglas — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Cole, Stephen Douglas
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.