Valley Fever: Environmental Risk Factors and Exposure Pathways Deduced from Field Measurements in California

Lauer, Antje; Etyemezian, Vicken; Nikolich, George; Kloock, Carl T.; Arzate, Angel Franco; Batcha, Fazalath Sadiq; Kaur, Manpreet; García, Eduardo; Mander, Jasleen; Passaglia, Alyce Kayes

doi:10.3390/ijerph17155285

Cited by 15 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…For example, soil properties have been the same where both positive and negative Coccidioides samples were collected [ 41 ]. Dr. Antje Lauer and colleagues continue to explore the potential for alkaline soils and the associated vegetation, as well as sandy loam soil textures, to be a favorable soil microenvironment for Coccidioides [ 42 , 43 ]. In addition to abiotic factors, biotic factors such as microbial competition may also be an important determinant for the presence of Coccidioides [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Coccidioides Research, Outstanding Questions in the Field, and Contributions by Women Scientists

Gorris

Dyke

Carey

et al. 2021

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

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Purpose of Review Coccidioidomycosis is an infectious disease that gained clinical significance in the early 20th century. Many of the foundational contributions to coccidioidomycosis research, including the discovery of the fungal disease agent, Coccidioides spp., were made by women. We review recent progress in Coccidioides research and big questions remaining in the field, while highlighting some of the contributions from women. Recent Findings New molecular-based techniques provide a promising method for detecting Coccidioides, which can help determine the dominate reservoir host and ideal environmental conditions for growth. Genetic and genomic analyses have allowed an understanding of population structure, species level diversity, and evolutionary histories. We present a current, comprehensive genome list, where women contributed many of these entries. Several efforts to develop a coccidioidomycosis vaccine are underway. Summary Women continue to pioneer research on Coccidioides, including the relationships between the fungi and the environment, genetics, and clinical observations. Significant questions remain in the field of Coccidioides, including the main host reservoir, the relationships between genotypic and phenotypic variation, and the underlying cause for chronic clinical coccidioidomycosis cases.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Coccidioides Research, Outstanding Questions in the Field, and Contributions by Women Scientists

Gorris

Dyke

Carey

et al. 2021

Curr Clin Micro Rpt

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…All studies were published between 2004 and 2021 [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ]. The affected regions that were studied were Asia (32/51, 62.7%), followed by Europe (9/51, 17.6%), America (6/51, 11.8%), Africa (4/51, 7.8%) and Australia (1/51, 2.0%).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infectious Diseases Associated with Desert Dust Outbreaks: A Systematic Review

Vergadi

Rouva

Angeli

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Desert dust outbreaks and dust storms are the major source of particulate matter globally and pose a major threat to human health. We investigated the microorganisms transported with desert dust particles and evaluated their potential impact on human health. Methods: A systematic review of all reports on the association between non-anthropogenic desert dust pollution, dust microorganisms and human health is conducted. Results: In total, 51 articles were included in this review. The affected regions studied were Asia (32/51, 62.7%) followed by Europe (9/51, 17.6%), America (6/51, 11.8%), Africa (4/51, 7.8%) and Australia (1/51, 2.0%). The Sahara Desert was the most frequent source of dust, followed by Asian and American deserts. In 39/51 studies the dust-related microbiome was analyzed, while, in 12/51 reports, the association of desert dust with infectious disease outbreaks was examined. Pathogenic and opportunistic agents were isolated from dust in 24/39 (61.5%) and 29/39 (74.4%) of the studies, respectively. A significant association of dust events with infectious disease outbreaks was found in 10/12 (83.3%) reports. The infectious diseases that were mostly investigated with dust outbreaks were pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, COVID-19, pulmonary tuberculosis and coccidioidomycosis. Conclusions: Desert dust outbreaks are vehicles of a significant number of pathogenic or opportunistic microorganisms and limited data indicate an association between dust events and infectious disease outbreaks. Further research is required to strengthen the correlation between dust events and infectious diseases and subsequently guide preventive public health measures.

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“…This observation confirms the results from other studies in the Central Valley and the Mojave Desert which documented that Coccidioides thrive in more natural environments compared to established cattle ranches, agricultural fields or orchards. The reasons for this observation are debated, but it is assumed that due to the application of fertilizer and the reduced abundance of rodents, the soil environment becomes more favorable for those species that degrade plant-derived matter and is more disadvantageous for keratinophiles [ 14 , 36 , 37 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Exposure to Coccidioides spp. in the Temblor Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Kern County, CA

et al. 2023

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The Temblor Mountain Special Recreation Area (SRMA) on the western flank of the San Joaquin Valley, CA, is located in the endemic area of Coccidioides, a fungal pathogen responsible for the increasing incidence of coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever). Recreationists in the SRMA, such as off-highway vehicle (OHV) drivers and mountain bikers who disturb the soils, are at risk of being exposed to airborne arthroconidia (asexual spores) of the pathogen. To reduce the risk of pathogen exposure for visitors, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plans to limit recreational activities to areas with a reduced pathogen presence. They envision an official OHV park in the future, by also restricting access to areas with ongoing restoration efforts and by limiting soil erosion in sensitive areas. To investigate which soils in the Temblor SRMA are most likely to support the growth of Coccidioides spp., soil samples were collected over a 3-year period from dominant soil types in a northern and a southern sampling area and analyzed for the pathogen using a culture-independent PCR-based method. In addition, soil pH and electrical conductivity were determined. The results of this study revealed slight genetic variance in the Coccidioides sequences obtained from the soils of the Temblor SRMA. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) could not confirm differences in soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) between the different soil types investigated and between sites where the pathogen was detected compared to sites where it could not be found. However, the year of sampling appeared to have an influence on observed soil pH and EC, and the presence of the pathogen. Of all dominant soil types investigated, those belonging to the Littlesignal–Cochora association were the least likely to contain the pathogen, whereas soils of the Beam–Panoza–Hillbrick association appeared more supportive. In addition to pointing out OHV areas with lower pathogen exposure risk in the Temblor SRMA, recommendations were made to educate visitors and BLM workers about the risk of contracting Valley fever.

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Valley Fever: Environmental Risk Factors and Exposure Pathways Deduced from Field Measurements in California

Cited by 15 publications

References 89 publications

A Review of Coccidioides Research, Outstanding Questions in the Field, and Contributions by Women Scientists

A Review of Coccidioides Research, Outstanding Questions in the Field, and Contributions by Women Scientists

Infectious Diseases Associated with Desert Dust Outbreaks: A Systematic Review

Risk of Exposure to Coccidioides spp. in the Temblor Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA), Kern County, CA

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