Invention:
This invention is a novel diagnostic test for coccidioidomycosis, also known as valley fever.
Background:
Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) is a fungal disease that is a common cause for pneumonia due to spores that are swept through the air. The fungal infection can be identified in microscopic detection of specific cells within bodily fluids. A skin test is useful in suggesting infection. However, if there isn't a "conversion," the test is deemed non-conclusive. Therefore, there remains a need for a fast and precise serological test.
Applications:
- Valley fever antibody detection assay
Advantages:
- Enables the use of pure antigen
- Not affected by sera (or other test specimens)
- Reactivity of recombinant peptides
Status: issued U.S. patent #11,492,381
