Coccidioidomycosis, also known as Valley fever, is an infectious disease caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. Our company is engaged in the therapy development of a range of infectious diseases, wherein coccidioidomycosis forms a part and employs cutting-edge technology to offer an exclusive suite of services to scholars and researchers.
Overview of Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis occurs in the California and Arizona regions of the USA. However, there has been a striking increase in coccidioidomycosis cases in the past few years, especially in 2011 when the incidence rate rose to 42.6 per 100,000 from 5.3 per 100,000 in 1998 for endemic regions. The individuals developing coccidioidomycosis may experience slight respiratory symptoms with infiltrates or more severe pulmonary symptoms.
Fig.1 Life cycle of Coccidioides. (Boro, R., et al., 2022)
Pathogenesis of Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis is caused by a certain fungus found in dry soil which is exposed to the atmosphere where it can be inhaled by humans. When the spores are inhaled, they enter into the parasitic form and begin to grow rapidly. The spores develop into spherules containing more spores, which then split open allowing the new spores to infect the host and start the cycle over again - and the spores may exit into the environment.
Fig.2 Fungal targets relevant to coccidioidomycosis. (Boro, R., et al., 2022)
Vaccine and Therapeutic Development for Coccidioidomycosis
| Types |
Names |
Mechanism of Action |
Targets |
Research Phase |
| Vaccines |
Multivalent vaccine |
Stimulate a broader range of T-cell clones |
Three selected antigens (rPep1, rPlb, and rAmn1) |
Preclinical research |
| Δcps1 vaccine |
Extend survival and greatly diminish dissemination |
Removal of the 6 kb CPS1 gene from C. posadasii |
Preclinical research |
| Ag2/PRA primary DC |
Induce IFN, IL-4 and IL-17 production |
Ag2/PRA antigen |
Preclinical research |
| Therapeutics |
Fluconazole |
Inhibit 14-α-demethylation of the CYP51 enzyme |
CYP51A1 |
Approved |
| VT-1598 |
Inhibition of 14-α-demethylase |
CYP51A1 |
Phase I trials |
| Olorofim |
A reversible inhibitor of the enzyme dihyroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) |
DHODH |
Phase III trials |
| Ibrexafungerp |
Resulting in the stoppage of synthesis of the essential fungal cell wall component β-(1,3)-D-glucan |
β-(1,3)-D-glucan synthase |
Phase III trials |
| Fosmanogepix |
Inhibit the Gwt1 enzyme which catalyzes inositol acylation |
Gwt1 |
Phase II trials |
| Nikkomycin Z |
Inhibit chitin synthase |
Chitin synthase |
Phase II trials |
Our Services
At our company, we aim to reach out to professionals who want the fungal infection to be researched comprehensively so that they can treat it in a detailed manner. We provide our researchers and scientists with an amalgamating platform of disease models and therapy development for infectious diseases along with vaccine development so they are equipped to fight coccidioidomycosis and other diseases.
Vaccine Development Platforms
Therapeutic Development Platforms
Infectious Disease Models
Animal models play an important role in elucidating the pathogenesis, immune response, therapy options, and dynamics of coccidioidomycosis. We provide a range of animal models in which you can assess methods for fighting this fungal infection.
These models involve infecting animals with Coccidioides fungal spores through various routes, including respiratory, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intrathecal/intracranial, or subcutaneous routes.
Optional Models: B6D2 mice model of Coccidioides posadasii infection, etc.
As you target the area of research of infectious diseases, there are our services that you may need as we assist you in advancing more of your projects by enhancing the collaborative aspect, the creative aspect, and the coordination aspect of the research. If you are interested, please reach out to us for further details that best fit your research needs.
References
- Boro, Ryan et al. "Current Landscape of Coccidioidomycosis." Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) 8.4 (2022): 413.
- B R Da Silva, Leandro et al. "Advances in Fungal Peptide Vaccines." Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland) 6.3 (2020): 119.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use
only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
