Research

Current and Recent Research Projects

COVID 19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis– Retrospective Analysis of patients with COVID-19 associated aspergillosis in CMC, Fresno. This study was completed, and results published in Journal of Fungi and highlights the characteristics of this devastating secondary infectious complication in COVID-19 patients in the Central Valley.

Cryptococcal infections post COVID:  multi-center study in collaboration with UAB

Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Proxalutamide (GT0918) in Hospitalized COVID-19 Subjects

PETAL Network Multi-Center Phase 2b Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo- Con-trolled Trial of Two Different Pharmacologic Therapies (Intravenous Vitamin C or Intra-venous Acetaminophen) for COVID-19

Disulfiram for COVID-19 (DISCO) Trial: A Phase 2 Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Disulfiram Compared to Standard Supportive Care

Tecovirimat (TPOXX) for Monkeypox Infection: UCSF Fresno, led by Infectious Disease team is one of the approved sites for providing TPOXX treatment for high-risk patients with Monkeypox infection.

SANDS Trial: An Observational Study to Assess the Prevalence and Outcomes of Primary Pulmonary Coccidioidomycosis in Persons Aged >14 years Presenting with Community Ac-quired Pneumonia (CAP) in Endemic Areas

Improved serological diagnosis of Coccidiomycosis by Mira Vista Diagnostics. The goal of this study is working with Mira Vista Diagnostics to study a coccidioidomycosis EIA assay which may have a faster turn-around time.

Oteseconazole in the treatment of coccidioidomycosis infections (sponsored by Mycovia pharmaceuticals)

Extrapulmonary coccidioidomycosis long term follow up analysis of outcomes and treatment trends in central valley Fresno. We have a heavy burden of coccidioidomycosis including extrapulmonary, CNS disease. This study is aimed at studying the long-term outcomes of patients while on fluconazole, outcomes, drug events and change in therapy related to such events. The data on these parameters are unfortunately lacking and this study will bridge that gap and help improve patient outcomes in the future. Some results from this study will be presented as an abstract at the 2022 MSG Biennial Meeting.

Trifecta of fungal diseases, an under recognized burden of central valley. In collaboration with UC Merced Biostatistics, we aim to estimate the prevalence and burden of fungal infections such as invasive aspergillosis, mucormycosis and cryptococcal meningitis in addition to coccidioidomycosis.

Risk reduction using tools provided by antimicrobial stewardship: This study aims to analyze the reduction of professional liability and improving patient safety and outcomes using antimicrobial stewardship program.