Screening of asymptomatic coccidioidomycosis within a Coccidioides-endemic area allowed for identifying and managing asymptomatic cases before patients began tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy.
Source: Coccidioidomycosis Screening Benefits TNFi Therapy Recipients – Infectious Disease Advisor
TNFi therapies have advanced the treatment of numerous inflammatory diseases because they act by impairing select functions of cellular immunity. However, by doing so, these medications increase the risk for mycobacterial and certain fungal infections, including coccidioidomycosis. Coccidioidomycosis is an infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Coccidioides, which is primarily endemic to southern Arizona, the southern and central valleys of California, southwestern New Mexico, and west Texas in the United States.
The following are examples of TNFi drugs
Adalimumab (Humira®)
Certolizumab pegol (Cimzia®)
Etanercept (Enbrel®)
Golimumab (Simponi®, Simponi Aria®)
Infliximab (Remicade®)
If you have Valley Fever and are taking one of these drugs, discuss this with your doctor immediately. The article also had a direct link to the study’s abstract. As with much of the most valuable Valley Fever research, you would have to pay for the full article or contact your librarian for an interlibrary loan: