Investigating the link between pesticide use and Valley fever cases
Official title: Exploratory study of pesticide use and coccidioidomycosis
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11118419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using certain pesticides, like fungicides and rodenticides, might change the amount of the Coccidioides fungus in the environment, which can cause Valley fever, and it’s especially interested in how climate change and farming practices might play a role in this.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $247,621 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI191179-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in areas with high rates of coccidioidomycosis, particularly those who may have been exposed to agricultural practices involving pesticide use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not live in endemic areas or who have not been exposed to the Coccidioides fungus are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how the use of pesticides, particularly fungicides and rodenticides, may influence the risk of coccidioidomycosis, commonly known as Valley fever. It examines the relationship between pesticide application and the presence of the Coccidioides fungus in the environment, which can lead to increased cases of the disease. By analyzing various data sets, the study aims to determine if pesticides affect the density of this pathogen in soil and how this might correlate with human cases of the illness. The research is particularly focused on the impact of climate change on the geographic spread of the fungus and the role of agricultural practices in this dynamic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of coccidioidomycosis, potentially reducing the incidence of this disease in affected populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a potential link between environmental factors and the incidence of coccidioidomycosis, suggesting that this study could build on existing knowledge, although the specific focus on pesticides is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parsonnet, Julie — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Parsonnet, Julie
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.