STAT3 and coccidioidomycosis: Studies have shown that risk factors for disseminated disease include black and Asian race/ethnicity, pregnancy, diabetes, HIV infection, active chemotherapy, and exogenous immunosuppression (e.g., prednisone, anti-graft rejection medications, and anti-inflammatory biologicals).2–4 A recent investigation has also revealed that functional and genetic defects in the interleukin-12/interferon-γ axis and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-mediated immunity may lead to a predisposition for disseminated coccidioidomycosis.4