Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants
11:44

Generation and Multi-phenotypic High-content Screening of Coxiella burnetii Transposon Mutants

Published on: May 13, 2015

10.5K

Risk Factors for Disseminated Coccidioidomycosis, United States

Camila D Odio, Beatriz E Marciano, John N Galgiani

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |January 19, 2017
    PubMed

    Insights

    Coccidioidomycosis can disseminate in about 1% of infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Defects in interleukin-12/interferon-γ and STAT3 pathways were identified as critical in disseminated coccidioidomycosis.

    Area of Science:

    • Mycology
    • Immunology
    • Infectious Diseases

    Background:

    • Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection endemic to the southwestern United States.
    • Approximately 150,000 new cases occur annually in the US, with about 1% disseminating.
    • Disseminated coccidioidomycosis has a high fatality rate, particularly in immunocompromised hosts.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the host immune pathways involved in disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
    • To identify genetic or functional defects contributing to disease dissemination.

    Main Methods:

    • Case study of 8 patients with disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
    • Analysis of immune system components, focusing on the interleukin-12/interferon-γ and STAT3 signaling pathways.

    Main Results:

    • All 8 patients exhibited defects in the interleukin-12/interferon-γ axis.
    • Defects in the STAT3 pathway were also observed in these patients.
    • These findings suggest a crucial role for these pathways in controlling coccidioidomycosis dissemination.

    Conclusions:

    • The interleukin-12/interferon-γ and STAT3 signaling pathways are critical for host defense against disseminated coccidioidomycosis.
    • Identifying these defects may lead to targeted therapies for high-risk individuals.
    • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of these immune defects.
    Keywords:
    CoccidioidesIL-12/IFN-γImmunodeficiencyUnited Statescoccidioidomycosisdisseminated coccidioidomycosisethnicityfungiimmunosuppressioninterferoninterleukin-12race

    More Related Videos

    Application of I TASSER, trRosetta, UCSF Chimera, HADDOCK server, and HEX loria for De Novo and In Silico Design of Proteins05:08

    Application of I TASSER, trRosetta, UCSF Chimera, HADDOCK server, and HEX loria for De Novo and In Silico Design of Proteins

    Published on: July 8, 2025

    1.2K
    Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients05:26

    Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients

    Published on: March 1, 2024

    2.2K

    Related Concept Videos

    Pulmonary Tuberculosis I01:29

    Pulmonary Tuberculosis I

    Tuberculosis, often called TB, is a contagious illness primarily caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lung parenchyma but can also impact other body parts.
    Causative Organism
    The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
    Mode of...
    1.1K
    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

    Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

    Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
    661
    Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

    Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

    The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
    The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
    14.3K
    Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

    Skin Diseases and Disorders

    Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
    Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
    6.0K
    Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

    Immunodeficiency Diseases

    Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
    There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
    2.7K
    Factors Affecting Illness01:18

    Factors Affecting Illness

    When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
    For instance, risk factors are connected to illness,...
    5.6K