Print Departments and specialties Mayo Clinic has one of the largest and most experienced practices in the United States, with campuses in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Staff skilled in dozens of specialties work together to ensure quality care and successful recovery. Departments that treat this condition Cardiovascular Surgery Cocci Clinic in Arizona Dermatology Infectious Diseases Neurology Pulmonary Medicine Areas that research this condition Neurology Research ResearchThe fungus that causes valley fever is linked to thousands of pneumonia cases a year in the United States. But experts say that's likely an undercount of the true problem. Many people aren't tested and diagnosed. Anyone who visits an area where a fungus is found can be at risk. But fungal infections are particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems. This includes people being treated for cancer, those who have received an organ transplant, and people with HIV, among others. Researchers at Mayo Clinic are working to modernize diagnosis and treatment of valley fever. Areas of research include: Creating the next generation of diagnostic tests. Mayo scientists and others are working to create a more consistent test to diagnose valley fever. The goal is to find the fungus by tracking a person's immune response to the germ. Researchers also are creating tests that identify traces of the fungus in samples. And using clinical trials, researchers are looking for other new, reliable signals of a valley fever infection. Exploring long-term effects. Researchers at Mayo Clinic are clarifying the diagnosis and treatment of valley fever complications, such as if the fungal infection reaches the nervous system. How valley fever interacts with other illnesses. For example, in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayo Clinic's researchers collected information on how treatments for COVID-19 could affect people who also had valley fever. Improving existing treatments for valley fever. As part of a national team, Mayo scientists are working to improve valley fever therapies. The goal is to personalize treatments and improve medical care by better defining side effects and complications of current treatment. Planning for the future. Mayo researchers are collecting donated tissues and fluids from people who want to help prevent valley fever or improve treatment of valley fever in the future. PublicationsSee a list of publications about valley fever by Mayo Clinic doctors on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine. Research Profiles Edit search filters close Narrow your search By location Arizona Florida Minnesota View all View all physicians • All Locations DiCaudo, David J. M.D. Arizona Grys, Thomas E. Ph.D. Arizona By Mayo Clinic Staff Valley fever care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatmentCare at Mayo Clinic March 21, 2023 Print Related Products & Services A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition Show more products and services from Mayo Clinic Valley feverSymptoms&causesDiagnosis&treatmentDoctors&departmentsCare atMayoClinic Research: It's all about patients Show transcript for video Research: It's all about patients [MUSIC PLAYING] Joseph Sirven, M.D., Professor of Neurology, Mayo Clinic: Mayo's mission is about the patient. The patient comes first. So the mission and research here is to advance how we can best help the patient, how to make sure the patient comes first in care. So in many ways, it's a cycle. It can start with as simple as an idea worked on in a laboratory, brought to the patient bedside, and if everything goes right — and let's say it's helpful or beneficial — then brought on as a standard approach. And I think that is one of the unique characteristics of Mayo's approach to research — that patient-centeredness — that really helps to put it in its own spotlight. CON-20378744 Patient Care & Health Information Diseases & Conditions Valley fever