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Valley Fever on the Rise-Searching for Microbial Antagonists to the Fungal Pathogen Coccidioides immitis
Antje Lauer1, Joe Darryl Baal2, Susan D Mendes3
1Department of Biology, California State University Bakersfield, 9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022, USA. alauer@csub.edu.
Microorganisms
|January 27, 2019
Summary
Researchers identified bacteria, including Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces, that can suppress the growth of Coccidioides immitis, the fungus causing Valley Fever. This discovery offers potential biocontrol strategies for this increasing fungal disease.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Environmental Microbiology
- Biocontrol Agents
Background:
- Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever) incidence is rising in arid regions.
- Current preventative measures, like vaccines, are unavailable for human protection.
- Fugitive dust from soil erosion in endemic areas spreads the Coccidioides immitis pathogen, posing a health risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and identify bacterial species with potential for biocontrol against Coccidioides immitis.
- To phylogenetically compare these bacterial candidates.
- To assess their efficacy in suppressing fungal growth in soil environments.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteria from soil samples near Bakersfield, California.
- Pairwise challenge assays using bacterial pure cultures against Uncinocarpus reesii.
- Re-challenge assays against Coccidioides immitis for isolates showing antifungal properties.
- Investigation of the antifungal spectrum against various environmental fungi.
Main Results:
- Isolation of potent antifungal bacterial species related to Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces spp.
- Demonstrated ability of these isolates to inhibit Coccidioides immitis growth.
- Characterization of the antifungal spectrum of the isolated bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Certain soil bacteria, particularly Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces, show promise as biocontrol agents against Coccidioides immitis.
- These findings suggest a viable strategy to mitigate Valley Fever transmission in endemic areas.
- Further research can explore in situ application for reducing pathogen exposure.
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