In Arizona, valley fever, a disease caused by a fungus native to the region, remains a diagnostic challenge with potential health risks. A recent collaboration between Mayo Clinic and ASU has developed a rapid test aimed at improving detection of this disease, as reported by FOX 10 Phoenix.
Before this breakthrough, individuals like Chris Sams suffered profound consequences from delayed diagnosis. Sams, who experienced severe weight loss and was eventually hospitalized, told FOX 10 Phoenix, "They didn’t know what was wrong. So not understanding the treatment or how to diagnose it was a big issue in the beginning."
This difficulty stems from valley fever symptoms that are indistinguishable from other illnesses, such as COVID-19 or bacterial infections. It's a reality that ASU's Douglas Lake and Mayo Clinic's Thomas Grys aimed to change when they co-founded Cactus Bio, as ASU News detailed.
Time is critical with valley fever, as the traditional median diagnosis time of 23 days is considered dangerously long. Thomas Grys emphasized this urgency to FOX 10 Phoenix, stating, "It can take an average of 23 days to make this diagnosis." However, with the rapid test they have developed, results may soon be available within minutes rather than weeks. "The real thing is finding that answer sooner than 23 days, hopefully in that first visit," Grys added. Sams, who attributes his ongoing recovery to Mayo Clinic, also described the rapid test as "life-changing."
The rapid test is expected to be available in medical facilities by the end of the year, with a home testing kit—similar to those used during the COVID pandemic—potentially in development, subject to FDA approval. This advancement aims to reduce misdiagnosis rates and improve outcomes for individuals at risk of valley fever.
