Coccidioidomycosis: Epidemiology, Fungal Pathogenesis, and Therapeutic Development
- PMID: 34367879
- PMCID: PMC8340492
- DOI: 10.1007/s40475-019-00184-z
Coccidioidomycosis: Epidemiology, Fungal Pathogenesis, and Therapeutic Development
Abstract
Purpose of review: Coccidioidomycosis can result from the inhalation of infectious spores of Coccidioides species (spp.) immitis or posadasii. Clinical manifestations range from mild flu-like disease to severe disseminated infection that can require life-long therapy. Burden of this mycosis is high in the southwest region of the USA where it is well characterized, and in many areas of Mexico and Latin America where it is inadequately characterized. Here, we provide historical data and current knowledge on Coccidioides spp. pathogenesis as well as recent progress in therapeutic and vaccine development against coccidioidomycosis.
Recent findings: The virulence mechanisms of Coccidioides spp. are largely unknown; however, production and regulation of a spherule glycoprotein, ammonium production, and melanization have all been proposed as integral factors in Coccidioides spp.' pathogenesis. Therapeutic options are limited and not 100% effective, but individualized treatment with triazoles or amphotericin B over the course of pulmonary or disseminated infection can be effective in resolution of coccidioidomycosis. Human immunization has not been achieved but efforts are ongoing.
Summary: Advances in therapeutic and vaccine development are imperative for the prevention and treatment of coccidioidomycosis, especially for those individuals at risk either living or traveling to or from endemic areas.
Keywords: Antifungals; Coccidioidomycosis; Epidemiology; Vaccine; Valley fever; Virulence.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of Interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Figures
Similar articles
-
PM10 and Other Climatic Variables Are Important Predictors of Seasonal Variability of Coccidioidomycosis in Arizona.Microbiol Spectr. 2022 Apr 27;10(2):e0148321. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01483-21. Epub 2022 Mar 23. Microbiol Spectr. 2022. PMID: 35319247 Free PMC article.
-
Life Cycle Dominates the Volatilome Character of Dimorphic Fungus Coccidioides spp.mSphere. 2021 Apr 14;6(2):e00040-21. doi: 10.1128/mSphere.00040-21. mSphere. 2021. PMID: 33853870 Free PMC article.
-
Coccidioides immitis and posadasii; A review of their biology, genomics, pathogenesis, and host immunity.Virulence. 2018;9(1):1426-1435. doi: 10.1080/21505594.2018.1509667. Virulence. 2018. PMID: 30179067 Free PMC article. Review.
-
The Quest for a Vaccine Against Coccidioidomycosis: A Neglected Disease of the Americas.J Fungi (Basel). 2016 Dec 16;2(4):34. doi: 10.3390/jof2040034. J Fungi (Basel). 2016. PMID: 29376949 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Local Population Structure and Patterns of Western Hemisphere Dispersal for Coccidioides spp., the Fungal Cause of Valley Fever.mBio. 2016 Apr 26;7(2):e00550-16. doi: 10.1128/mBio.00550-16. mBio. 2016. PMID: 27118594 Free PMC article.
Cited by
-
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Outcome of Coccidioidal Osseous Infections: A Systematic Review.J Fungi (Basel). 2024 Apr 5;10(4):270. doi: 10.3390/jof10040270. J Fungi (Basel). 2024. PMID: 38667941 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Cutaneous Coccidioidomycosis and Basal Cell Carcinoma: Case Report on a Diagnostic Dilemma.Cureus. 2023 Aug 12;15(8):e43374. doi: 10.7759/cureus.43374. eCollection 2023 Aug. Cureus. 2023. PMID: 37701001 Free PMC article.
-
Spinal Infections Caused by Coccidioides Species.Maedica (Bucur). 2023 Jun;18(2):209-215. doi: 10.26574/maedica.2023.18.2.209. Maedica (Bucur). 2023. PMID: 37588822 Free PMC article.
-
Outcomes with severe pulmonary coccidioidomycosis and respiratory failure in the United States.J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can. 2023 Mar 1;8(1):40-48. doi: 10.3138/jammi-2022-0028. eCollection 2023 Mar. J Assoc Med Microbiol Infect Dis Can. 2023. PMID: 37008578 Free PMC article.
-
Valley fever, mimicker of malignancy.Heliyon. 2023 Jan 10;9(1):e12900. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12900. eCollection 2023 Jan. Heliyon. 2023. PMID: 36685442 Free PMC article.
References
-
- Huppert M, Sun SH, Harrison JL. Morphogenesis throughout saprobic and parasitic cycles of Coccidioides immitis. Mycopathologia. 1982;78(2):107–22. - PubMed
-
- Fisher MC, Koenig GL, White TJ, Taylor JW. Molecular and phenotypic description of Coccidioides posadasii sp. nov., previously recognized as the non-California population of Coccidioides immitis. Mycologia. 2002;94(1):73–84. - PubMed
-
- Rixford E, Gilchrist TC. Two cases of protozoan (coccidioidal) infection of the skin and other organs. Johns Hopkins Hosp Rep. 1896;10:209–68.
-
- Posadas A Un nuevo caso de micosis fungoidea con posrospemias. An Cir Med Argent. 1892;15:585–97.
Grants and funding
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Research Materials
Miscellaneous