Advances in Vaccine Technology - Pioneering a Preventive for Valley Fever
0.5 hours of CE Credit
Coccidioidomycosis, also known as “Valley Fever,” is a systemic fungal disease caused by the inhalation of Coccidioides spp. soil fungi, C.posadasii and C.immitis. Coccidioidomycosis causes a great deal of morbidity and mortality in affected patients and can also infect humans. To date, the only available prevention for this disease is avoidance of endemic areas. Progress is being made towards the development of a viable systemic vaccine against Coccidioides spp. in the dog. In this program, we will review the increasing geographic spread of Valley Fever, our current understanding of the protective host immune response to Coccidioides spp. infection, and review scientific studies leading us towards a potential vaccine to prevent the disease in dogs.
What you'll learn:
Understand the current geographic range of Coccidioides spp. and projections for future geographic range.
Learn the history and challenges of developing a vaccine for systemic fungal diseases and the importance of host immune response.
Review the scientific literature to date charting progression towards a vaccine for Coccidioides spp. including selection of an appropriate antigen, dose as well as a deeper look into proven efficacy in mice and dog models.
